Mike Hosking Breakfast Show Transcript starts at 7:13
Mike:
The Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern – good morning!
Jacinda:
Good morning
Mike:
How many people have quit your party as a result of this investigation into the bloke who may or may not have um… sexually assaulted someone?
Jacinda:
I’m going to be pretty careful answering that question, Mike because this is um… ah… enquiry and work is still underway and it is um… a party matter, but if you ah… want numbers on those who come and go from the Labour Party ah… that’s not a number I can give you at present. I can tell you that our numbers are healthy and probably grow by the day with every interview I do…
Mike:
No, I’m not talking about your general party membership, I’m talking about people who have specifically quit the party as a result of the actions alleged of this person.
Jacinda:
Oh, look, I’ve seen the um… claims around (indistinct) but I can’t give you verified numbers there. Again, Mike, I am sure you will appreciate…
Mike:
Have you asked?
Jacinda:
Have… have… how many individuals have… no, nor would I expect to give an accurate um… ah… reference because people don’t give their rationale when they choose remove their party membership. But also, Mike, you will appreciate um… that this is… this is a matter for the party – it’s not something that I am directly involved in. I have of course, sought assurances that when issues like this are raised, they are dealt with properly and appropriately – particularly given our experience with the summer school.
We have a process in place um… and the party has already indicated that it is aah… aah… aah… checking that everything that it should have done was done when these complaints were raised. And that’s appropriate that they do that.
Mike:
So, where are they at, currently?
Jacinda:
Aah… they are currently assessing the enquiry that was undertaken.
Mike:
But we can say there will be no change to the outcome?
Jacinda:
Aah… that is not for me to determine. It’s not a matter that I’ve enquired into personally. It’s a matter for the Labour Party.
Mike:
Why wouldn’t you enquire into it personally, seeing this has come back to bite you this morning?
Jacinda:
Aah… why would I… because it is not appropriate for me to undertake a personal investigation into a complaint that was made, Mike. And I don’t think you’d believe it would be.
Mike:
So, no disciplinary action was taken, they’re reviewing their processes – but not the outcome. Is this your understanding of where we are at?
Jacinda:
I… I’m… No – I’m not going to get into that level of detail while this is a matter that is still underway. It would be premature for me to do that and nor would it be appropriate for me to do that.
Mike:
When will it be completed?
Jacinda:
That’s a matter for the party.