Robyn Vs Winston - Dropped With A Feather

Friday, 12 November 1999, 7:34 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

Scoop Interview Review - Holmes Show. TVNZ 7pm, tonight

Intro: McDonald is angry about her place on the party list, is threatening legal action and has accused Mr Peters of being anti-women.

With some prompting McDonald explains what she is upset about. McDonald says Mr Peters shafted her on the selection committee and then said in private that he had supported her. She is upset about the deception.

In particular she had heard that he had said he would "teach a bunch of MPs a lesson" for not looking after their electorates.

For her part McDonald says her electorate organisation was coming back strongly (She has 220 members compared with 600 at the last election) and that most of her problems had been caused by an unnamed person from her electorate organisation - who had bad mouthed her to the selection committee.

Winston denied saying any such thing and defended himself saying that he had - at her request - asked the troublesome person to step down.

McDonald: That's a matter of opinion (on the "teach someone a lesson" comments) . I have heard it from lots of people.

Peters: It is not a matter of opinion it is either true or it isn't. Bring someone on this programme who heard me say it.

….

With Paul Holmes great conflict resolution abilities in play, and Winston being very charming - Robyn softens…

McDonald: The simple fact is Winston is a very, very, clever man. I wouldn't have followed him for three years if he wasn't.

Paul then asks McDonald to explain what she means about Mr Peters not being able to get on with women.

McDonald: Winston is a harsh taskmaster and has an "unusual" way of getting consensus in his caucus. He demanded very high standards of argument in order to be convinced to take a position. "Another woman in the caucus", had found this difficult to deal with.

Winston: This parties top three out of four officials have been women till recently, and now two are. For goodness sake. You are testimony of the fact that I promoted several women. I told you many times please don't neglect your electorate. I am being accused of not being overbearing to the committee and imposing my will on them by supporting you.

Paul: One final question: Why did you decide to release this today?

McDonald: This was when the QC's opinion came through. And eventually the pressure… out there campaigning… everybody said this was very unfair….

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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