Openly gay National MP Chris Finlayson admits that likening public criticism of the Exclusive Brethren to anti-Semitism in a speech he made in November defending the Exclusive Brethren was a bit hyperbolic. In a speech to the National Party's North Shore electorate, home of "PC eradicator" Wayne Mapp, Finlayson accused the Labour Party of conducting a "pogrom" against the Exclusive Brethren, and suggested that "victimisation" of the anti-gay sect by politicians and the media was worthy of complaints to the Human Rights Commission. "I doubt, however, that the Human Rights Commission would be particularly interested in examining this matter," he said in his speech. "It is the ultimate politically correct organisation. Protecting the interests of a small and badly understood religious minority would not come into that category." Finlayson now believes his use of the word "pogrom" – a word meaning "an organized, often officially encouraged massacre or persecution of a minority group, especially one conducted against Jews" – was hyperbolic. He told GayNZ.com that he was merely making a point about religious tolerance. "I think some of the language against them [the Exclusive Brethren] has been pretty extravagant in recent times," he says. "I think there are a lot of instances where you have extreme criticism of gay people, and I've already said that ought to be defended. Or opposed. But it's the way in which you do it." Finlayson's speech also said that the Exclusive Brethren political platform is nothing to be afraid of, and that they "appear to have very strong family units". In a rundown of all the issues the Exclusive Brethren lobbied over during election time and beyond, Finlayson made no mention of their anti-gay lobbying. He told GayNZ.com that he didn't know enough about the Exclusive Brethren's anti-gay lobbying to be able to comment. "I think many of their views would be perceived as anti-gay," he said. "But there are plenty of organisations that I have respect for that could be regarded as anti-gay." Peter Lineham, religious issues commentator and Associate Professor of History at Massey University, says he read Finlayson's speech with interest. "What puzzles me is exactly what attack has been made on the Exclusive Brethren's human rights?" he told GayNZ.com. "It seems to me they spoke in public and had to live with the consequences."