Key’s Sloppy Comments a Risk to Kiwi Defence Deployment

Prime Minister John Key’s sloppy and thoughtless remarks in the Middle East are a risk to both New Zealand and Australian forces going into Iraq, says New Zealand First.

“It also appears Mr Key has breached the Cabinet Manual rules by improperly disclosing official information,” says Spokesperson for Defence Ron Mark.

Mr Key revealed to the Gulf News that the New Zealand contingent were in Dubai on their way to Iraq while the Prime Minister and New Zealand media were also there.

“The Prime Minister glibly told Kiwi reporters he had not told them because he did not feel it was ‘newsworthy’.

“He added that: ‘You guys might, but I don’t. I mean they have to fly through somewhere. That’s the base they use going into Baghdad, so pffft’.

“Mr Key and Defence have defiantly refused to give any details about New Zealand’s deployment. It is irrational that the exact whereabouts of our personnel would now be revealed.

“What kind of statesman would publicly pass on details about Defence deployment while in the Middle East and so close to strife-torn areas?

“Mr Key travels the foreign stage but has yet to pick up the nuances of diplomacy and foreign affairs,” says Mr Mark.

ENDS

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