Best to ignore Sir Robert — Mr McLay

Press, 18 February 1986, Page 36

Best to ignore Sir Robert — Mr McLay

PA Wellington The best way to handle criticism from the former Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, is simply to ignore it, says the Leader of the Opposition, Mr McLay. He was commenting on an assertion by Sir Robert that he had publicity downplayed unease in the National Party caucus last week over the spokemanship reshuffle.

Asked whether there was anything he could do stop he could do to stop Sir Robert from publicity undermining and attacking his leadership, Mr McLay said he simply intended to ignore him.

“That’s what I’ve done in the recent past. Ignore what he says, ignore this sort of statement.”

Mr McLay said he did not ignore Sir Robert in caucus. “He participates in discussions.” Mr McLay said he was not the slightest bit surprised when he read Sir Robert’s comment saying that he (Mr McLay) was inclined to put his own gloss on things.

Sir Robert questioned Mr McLay’s assertion that the majority of caucus members had told him they supported and endorsed the reshuffle.

Mr McLay said he knew who he had spoken to and knew what they had said. “Let me just observe to you after 15 months as leader and before that I have never once misled you people (journalists) on issues such as this, nor will I ever dp so,” Mr McLay said. He sometimes refused to comment on. an issue. “But if I tell you it, I can assure you it is the truth,” Mr McLay said.

He declined to comment on Sir Robert’s suggestion that Mr George Gair, (North Shore) had been demoted from fourth to eleventh position because he was publicity touted as a future deputy leader during last December’s unsuccessful leadership challenge. Mr McLay said he was much more concerned about arguments with the Labour Party than he was with former leaders.