Speaker Trevor Mallard has been told to consult other parties over his decision to trespass Winston Peters from the grounds of Parliament for two years.
The former Deputy PM is one of several people, including former National MP Matt King, who have been issued the notices after visiting the occupation at Parliament two months ago. Peters says its an unlawful and dictatorial.
This afternoon Jacinda Ardern asked the speaker to clarify what's happened. Former United Future MP Peter Dunne says the trespass of Winston Peters from Parliament is "grossly over the top for the expression of political opinion".
Former United Future MP Peter Dunne says the trespass of Winston Peters from Parliament is "grossly over the top for the expression of political opinion".
"I've got no truck for Mr Peters or his style of politics," he told Checkpoint. "But I do think in this case he's got a point.
"He wasn't a critical part of the protest, he was there on one particular day grandstanding in front of the cameras, the way he always does, and he ends up being banned from the grounds for two years. I think that's grossly over the top for the expression of a political opinion.
"He wasn't one of the keynote organisers. He was just a casual participant, and to suffer this fate I think is really quite extraordinary. And it speaks a lot really for the mentality of the Speaker."
Dunne said Mallard is not the right person for the job of Speaker of the House.
"He's not suited by temperament. He's got a vindictive political streak... the speaker is supposed to be above party politics. He's been enmeshed in it right from the beginning. He's well outstayed his welcome. In fact, the person that should be trespassed is probably Trevor Mallard."
