A book released today reveals the full extent of the homophobic Religious Brethren's dealings with the National Party in the run-up to last years' election. Leading National Party figures received correspondence in May 2005 telling them the Exclusive Brethren were planning a major election pamphlet campaign, investigative author Nicky Hager's book says. It is one of several claims in The Hollow Men, released today after an injunction covering outgoing National leader Don Brash's stolen emails was lifted. After Dr Brash dropped his support for the Civil Union Bill, Hager alleges contact between National and the Exclusive Brethren became increasingly frequent. The book alleges that on 24 May 2005 the Brethren put their plans for a $1 million campaign in writing to Dr Brash and National's finance spokesman John Key. "They said it was solely for the purpose of getting party votes for National, but they also said there were two parts to this 'building mistrust in the Government' and 'building trust in a Brash-led government'," Mr Hager told reporters. Prime Minister Helen Clark has called the reclusive fundamentalist Christian church a ‘weird sect'. A member of the Exclusive Brethren cannot eat with or drink with non-Brethren, and cannot live in the same building as anyone who is not in fellowship - including a semi-detached home in which a wall is shared. The Brethren continue to campaign here in New Zealand and across the globe against GLBT issues such as Civil Unions, and are known to support any political person or party it sees as helpful in their anti-GLBT beliefs. They number fewer than 2,000 in New Zealand, and about 40,000 worldwide. Dr Brash had previously admitted having met Brethren representatives, but had recently been keen to distance himself and the National party from the Brethren. Ref: NZ Herald, GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Friday, 24th November 2006 - 12:00pm