Hidden Agenda Results In Connell Suspension

Tuesday, 26 September 2006, 1:35 pm
Article: Kevin List

Hidden Agenda Results In Connell Suspension

The National Party Caucus today decided to suspend MP Brian Connell. Prior to the suspension of the erstwhile MP for Rakaia National Party Leader Dr Don Brash faced a media scrummage outside the National caucus room. In answer to questions about Mr Connell's future Dr Brash pointed out that the fate of Mr Connell was for Caucus to discuss but that Mr Connell's future was not on the agenda. It would seem the agenda might have been a hidden one for some hours later the wild haired bad boy of National was out in the cold.

A press statement from Dr Brash gave as a reason for the suspension of Mr Connell his 'public comments after the last Caucus about the discussions that took place at that meeting.'

Mr Connell has however maintained in these public statements that he was not the person who leaked information about ructions in the Caucus to the Independent Financial Review. So far no-one else has owned up to this particular leaky deed and so only Mr Connell has been punished for a story that looks to have, at least temporarily, given National a nice bounce in the latest opinion polls.

Listen to Dr Brash point out Mr Connell's fate was not on the Caucus agenda and bat off a few Exclusive Brethren related questions from assembled media

Scoop Streaming Audio: Dr Brash chats to media prior to MP Brian Connell's suspension

Clickhere to download
File (mp3)

ENDS

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