Former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr has threatened to sue his New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, for defamation over comments made on a radio show.
What did Winston Peters say?
In a radio interview this morning, Peters accused Carr of being a “Chinese puppet” and said he had “sold his soul to China.” He also said that Carr was “not fit to hold office” and should be “kicked out of New Zealand.”
What is Carr’s response?
Carr has denied the allegations and said that he will take legal action against Peters. He said that Peters’ comments were “outrageous” and “defamatory” and that they had caused him “great distress and embarrassment.”
Background to the dispute
The dispute between Carr and Peters comes amid a debate about whether New Zealand should join the AUKUS pact, a security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Carr has been a vocal critic of the pact, while Peters has been a strong supporter.
Commentators weigh in
Commentators have said that Peters’ comments were “unprecedented” and that they could damage the relationship between New Zealand and Australia. They have also said that Carr’s threat of legal action could lead to a lengthy and costly court battle.
Key Points
- Bob Carr has accused Winston Peters of defamation after Peters made controversial remarks about him on radio.
- Peters has said that he stands by his comments and that he believes Carr is a “Chinese puppet.”
- Carr has denied the allegations and said that he will take legal action against Peters.
- The dispute comes amid a debate about whether New Zealand should join the AUKUS pact.
- Commentators have said that Peters’ comments were “unprecedented” and that they could damage the relationship between New Zealand and Australia.
What’s next?
It is unclear what will happen next in the dispute between Carr and Peters. It is possible that Carr will follow through on his threat of legal action, in which case the case could end up in court. It is also possible that the two sides will be able to resolve the dispute out of court.
also read:Trisha Krishnan Takes a Stand Against Defamation: A Tale of Courage and Unity
Divya