Tue 7 Feb 2017 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
An open letter available for signing by members of the Labour party claims politician and broadcaster Willie Jackson is “a little uncomfortable with gay men” and should not become a Labour candidate at the forthcoming general election. Willie Jackson The letter, prepared by Young Labour, also raises the issue of Jackson's much-criticised broadcast comments regarding the 'Roastbusters' controversy when broadcasting with John Tamihere who had a long history of homophobic abuse, although Tamihere appeared to soften his attitude after fronting the Mana party. During the Roastbusers interview of a young woman Jackson "engaged in a line of questioning that blamed the alleged victims and mocked the interviewee," the letter says. "Jackson refuted the interviewee’s allegation that the young men involved were rapists, saying 'girls shouldn’t be drinking anyway, should they?', 'how free and easy are you kids these days?', and referring to the accusations as 'mischief,' before asking the young woman when she had lost her virginity.' On the subject of homosexuality the letter says as a talkback host Jackson "interrogated a Labour MP and leadership candidate about his sexuality. He followed this appalling interview with a column which dressed up his homophobia as remorse on behalf of a country ‘not ready’ for a gay Prime Minister. Jackson wrote: 'The main issue, however, for Robertson has nothing to do with his ability to be able to front over policy, which he does well - but everything to do sadly, with him being homosexual. "Labour should not want a person to be an elected member of parliament that lacks the courage to fight homophobia, let alone exhibiting comfortability with prejudice against LGBTI New Zealanders"
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 7th February 2017 - 10:34pm