Richard Worth offers his seat to Monte Cassino vet

National Party MP Richard Worth is offering his place in the official party visiting Monte Cassino to one of the veterans previously denied a seat.

"Their need is greater than mine in this regard," says Mr Worth, who is himself a former naval officer.

"I sent George Hawkins an e-mail earlier this week notifying him of my decision."

Mr Worth was due to travel to Monte Cassino with the official party on Thursday and says he is "appalled" by the Government's handling of the whole affair.

"These are kiwis who put their lives on the line for the freedoms that we all now enjoy. They deserve our courtesy and respect," says Mr Worth.

"The Government only moved to increase the numbers on this trip after political pressure, particularly from National Leader Don Brash, who urged Helen Clark to find more room for veterans.

"I could not in all good conscience accept a place when I know there are far more deserving recipients who will be left behind.

"For many, this will be their last chance to attend a major commemoration of this conflict, they have truly earned their place ahead of me," says Mr Worth.

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>