National MP Melissa Lee makes formal apology after comments

National MP Melissa Lee makes formal apology after comments..
National's Mt Albert by-election candidate has made a formal apology after a very public error of judgement.

During a rowdy public debate on Wednesday night, held after the announcement on the Waterview Motorway Connection, Melissa Lee made a comment that hit the headlines.

Lee told the meeting people drove to the electorate from South Auckland, and that the new motorway extension could divert some of that traffic and criminals from Mt Albert.

On Thursday afternoon Lee put out a media release, saying she sincerely regrets the remarks and apologises unreservedly.

"I didn't say all of south Auckland was doing this. I said the criminals who travel from one city to the next," she says.

"If south Auckland people (find) my comments offensive, I apologise. It wasn't about them. It was about criminals."

Lee claimed police had told her motorways helped channel criminals from the suburbs but police were not rushing to back her.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Melissa Lee
• apology
• National MP

[blueheeler25]

Im from South Auckland and I was absolutely appalled at her remarks. Yes, she may apologise but I know inside she still means what she said...

[marshmallowjade]

I live in South Auckland and have done so all my life.

I am proud to say that I am educated (I am currently studying a Law/Arts degree, majoring in Politics), I come from a well off family, and I have most definitely never committed a crime in my life, and neither has any of my family members. Please don't generalize in future, and get your facts straight before making assumptions that you can't back up.

[aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa78815]

should divert all flights from korea coz they might contain racist politians

[mgc1p3rzq]

asians are a embarrassment to new zealand.

[albusfr]

lol an embarrassment to all azns

[fidinaki07]

fukkin bitch! saying shit like that WILL get you burgled!

[KingSatyr]

lots of angry negros commenting on this video l0ll00ll0 NIGGERS NIGGA NIGGER MOTHER FUCKAS get a job stop stealing niggers

[warpat1]

She is an uneducated retard and should disappear from public life. She causes so much anger from her outbursts without any thought to what she is saying. She speaks when she should shut up but when TV3 asked her relavent questions she when blank and said she didn't know what to say. She is a poser and climber who will not fool anyone.

[lekap]

All you fucking racist ASIANS/EUROPEANS need to shut the fuck up unless your willing to do it in person and fight for your own critisms.. That is probably the reason why us Polys are free to commit crime to you motherfuckers because we arent afraid of consequences, we're not afraid to fight for ourselves where as you racist idiots can only say it quietly, over the net or to the media and end up running scared! haha!!

[lekap]

Ok first of all there are plenty of well off, educated New Zealanders residing in South Auckland. When Melissa released her statement regarding this, she was soley stereotyping Sth Auckland, whereas how in the world would she know that "CRIMINALS" actually "LIVE" in Sth Akland???? What if Criminals are from all over Akland and only committing crime IN STH AKLND?? Possibly due to the lack of security or maintenance which maybe the reason for high criminal activity???

[lekap]

oh so what, get a grip of yourself! Damn right I'm throwing racism back in her face! So what? Anyone who agrees with Melissa Lees statement makes them all that stupid. Amazing how high your uneducated mind would be PLONKER. Her statement was highly irrational with no actual points to back her opinion up. You can't stop crime by creating a motorway because DING DING DING motorways have offramps?! So i suggest you go back to 3rd form and resit your exams hahaha..