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'Doesn't sound like something I'd say': MP denies fresh bullying, body shaming claims

Author
Jamie Lyth,
Publish Date
Fri, 17 Nov 2023, 10:17am
Photo / Mike Scott
Photo / Mike Scott

'Doesn't sound like something I'd say': MP denies fresh bullying, body shaming claims

Author
Jamie Lyth,
Publish Date
Fri, 17 Nov 2023, 10:17am

Labour MP Ginny Andersen says she is surprised at latest bullying claims over a toxic office culture, maintaining the phrase she is accused of uttering didn鈥檛 sound like something she would say.

The former police minister this morning denied fresh allegations that she engaged in body shaming in her workplace and that there was a toxic culture in her office.

鈥淚t鈥檚 difficult to respond to allegations that are historical and anonymous,鈥 Andersen told听AM.

On the claim that she said, 鈥淚 am an MP I can do what I want,鈥 Andersen said it didn鈥檛 sound like something she would say and she does not recall saying it.

Andersen formally apologised to a complainant earlier this week听who accused her of bullying a teenage volunteer over a period of three years.

Andersen confirmed she has spoken to Labour Party leader听Chris Hipkins听about the allegations recently.

This morning she said she was surprised by the rumours that she had a toxic workplace culture.

She also denied ever body shaming anyone in the workplace.

Last week听the party confirmed it was investigating the complaint, which was made by the mother of one of Andersen鈥檚 volunteers and alleged poor behaviour, particularly on election night five weeks ago.

It described Andersen yelling at the complainant鈥檚 teenage daughter and son on election night when she lost her electorate seat, accusing them of not doing enough doorknocking.

Another allegation was the MP yelled at the young woman over the phone after she told Andersen she could not help with volunteering because she was going on a family holiday.

鈥淭he complainant has advised us that from their perspective the complaint has now been resolved,鈥 Labour Party president Jill Day said in a statement.

The allegations against Andersen were detailed in a letter that was leaked to media.

The complaint detailed other issues over a period of three years including the alleged victim being called 鈥渦seless鈥 after getting addresses mixed up while delivering something for Christmas.

鈥淚鈥檓 aware a complaint has been made about comments I鈥檝e made in the past,鈥 Andersen said earlier this week.

鈥淚鈥檓 really sorry if my comments caused hurt,鈥 she said.

Additional reporting by RNZ.

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