"Bill English seems incapable of debating any issue on the facts. Instead he always resorts to distortion and untruth," Labour finance spokesperson Michael Cullen said today.

Dr Cullen was responding to a "challenge" from Mr English that he explain comments made on National Radio regarding giving workers new rights to strike.

"The transcript Mr English issued with his challenge was highly selective and designed to mislead. It's time Mr English dragged himself out of the gutter and brought some integrity to the political debate.

"If he is incapable of doing this, he is incapable of being Treasurer.

"Labour's employment relations policy, to be released next Tuesday, will not permit secondary or sympathy strikes as I made clear in the interview.

"It will allow workers to strike in pursuit of a multi-employer contract provided a majority of union members at each workplace supports taking strike action. Under the Employment Contracts Act, strikes and lockouts are legal for every type of contract except a multi-employer contract.

"Labour considers that anomalous and will remove it," Dr Cullen said.

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