McCully apologised to the wrong person

Murray McCully has apologised to the wrong person for his bungling of the Malaysian diplomat affair, Labour’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson David Shearer says.

“The Foreign Affairs Minister has said sorry to the Prime Minister. He should apologise to the woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted and burgled.

“It is the bungling by Murray McCully and his ministry which has denied her justice weeks after the alleged crimes against her.

“New Zealanders in these situations rightfully expect the Government to stand by them.

“National’s inaction will have a chilling effect on victims throughout New Zealand.

“Incredibly, Murray McCully has given no guarantee he will seek to have this diplomat brought back to New Zealand to face trial, as the Malaysian Foreign Minister has offered.

“That is a simple step and the right one to obtain justice for the woman concerned. How will a Malaysian court complete its job when the evidence is here in New Zealand?

“Murray McCully has also said he was not kept up to date or informed about the progress of the Malaysian case until last week. Either he’s not telling the whole story, or that is an extraordinary indictment of the functioning of his office and Ministry.

“Surely a charge of attempted rape is something a Minister would take an active interest in.

“Murray McCully owes this young woman an apology,” David Shearer says.

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