National's State Services Spokesperson Roger Sowry has called for Jim Anderton's Senior Advisor Tony Simpson to be sacked following the abusive email he sent to Richard Poole.

"It is simply not acceptable for a ministerial staff member to slag off a member of the public who was merely trying to raise legitimate concerns with the Deputy Prime Minister.

"Helen Clark cried foul when a private email sent by Kit Richards was leaked to the Government and she demanded his head. We now have an abusive email sent by Tony Simpson in an official capacity and she is content with the slap on the hand, or pat on the back, that Jim might have given him.

"This Government's arrogance knows no bounds.

"To call this well-intentioned young man a half-wit is completely unacceptable. By inference Mr Simpson was calling all of the young New Zealanders that put their names to the ad half-wits.

"It's about time Jim and his mates started listening to what young people are saying rather than abusing them for not agreeing with the Government line. These young people have legitimate concerns and this Government should be taking those on board rather than abusing them for raising them.

"This Government is engaging in heavy-handed tactics to try and frighten critics. Jim and his mates will soon realise that the critics won't go away, they will gain in number," Roger Sowry said.

Ends

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