-
David Garrett on Q+A - Source: Q+A -
Watch Video
-
Related
Act MP David Garrett has apologised for making sexual comments at work and says party leader Rodney Hide tore strips off him over the behaviour.
Garrett, a list MP, made comments about a female worker to another staff member, The Herald on Sunday reported.
The paper also reported Garrett made a lewd remark to a woman at a water cooler.
Speaking on TV One's Q+A programme Garrett said the water cooler incident was a complete fabrication.
However he admitted Hide had had reason to reprimand him; "he tore several large strips off me, actually," for inappropriate comments.
Garrett said what was and was not appropriate was debatable.
"I'm probably the only Member of Parliament who has been an oil rig worker for 10 years, it was a big adjustment to become a lawyer, and even bigger adjustment to become an MP, I'm on a very steep learning curve, I now understand very clearly that the kind of thing that might have been okay in a law firm in Tonga is not okay in parliament."
Garrett had apologised to the woman and said he very much regretted the remarks.
His future was in Hide's hands.
"I've spoken to Rodney about it just this morning and he's indicated that he still has faith in me and until that changes then I intend to keep doing what I'm doing."
Prime Minister John Key was briefed on the incident yesterday afternoon and would not be commenting on an MP from another party, the Herald on Sunday reported.
Hide said he talked to Garrett "about the need to maintain high standards at all times".
The matter could be escalated to the Parliamentary Service - which employs the staff member - if there was a formal complaint, he said.
He had met with the staff member to assure her any complaint she made would be handled properly.
Hide said that Garrett was "a guy who has come from a rough, tough background".
"I explained to him we set high standards in our Parliament across all parties.
"It is a learning experience in becoming an MP. I said it is good he can learn quickly - because he has to."
