Simon Bridges slams Tiki Taane over arrest

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges has slammed Tiki Taane as a "disgrace" after the singer recited rap song lyrics that were derogatory about police at a weekend gig in the city.
Taane, 34, was arrested and charged with disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence after a show at Harington Bar Illuminati early Sunday.
The former Salmonella Dub frontman, whose hit song Always On My Mind features on BNZ adverts, is due to appear in Tauranga District Court on Friday.
A 24-year-old Illuminati staff member charged with obstruction and resisting arrest after the same show is also due to appear on Friday.
An outraged Tauranga MP Simon Bridges yesterday called Taane a "disgrace" and added: "I'd hope we never see Tiki Taane in Tauranga again."
"I've had a lot to do with the police over the years as a Crown prosecutor and still have some involvement with police as an MP. I have the utmost respect for the work they do," Mr Bridges said.
"People often tell me they're concerned about their safety on The Strand and on Harington St. There's a strong public interest in police being there in the early hours of the morning and to be critical of them doing their job is outrageous."
Taane would not respond to Mr Bridges' comments when contacted last night but said he planned to release a statement after consulting his lawyer and family.
"I won't be replying to anything, I can't really answer anything until the press release comes out. If [Mr Bridges] said that, that's fine, but I can't really comment until we've released this statement tomorrow publicly."
The song, by rap group NWA, was a 1988 protest song containing swear words, which Taane said he had performed at previous concerts without any trouble.
Illuminati owner Glen Meikle described the incident as a "misunderstanding" which he said occurred after Taane allegedly began singing a rap song that contained derogatory lyrics about police.
"All I can really say is that there is a bit of confusion about what Tiki did. Dick Johnson, the DJ, put on a song played in almost every night club and Tiki was MC'ing that night. It was just bad timing."
Mr Meikle said other patrons in the crowded bar began singing along with Taane.
"I think the whole thing was a misunderstanding. Tiki is one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. The crowd was happy, everyone was happy. Everyone left happily and there was no trouble," Mr Meikle said.
"It was one of those things and it was an R18 event. But we also have to respect the police and respect what they do."
Fans have rallied around Taane on his production company's Facebook page, telling the singer "u still rock tiki we all make mistakes mate" and "freedom of speech! Solidarity with Tiki!".
Others have criticised the singer posting "There's freedom of speech and there's just wanting to sing a song to irritate the police" and "Freedom of speech.. that doesn't mean say whatever you like (insults included) and have no consequences".
Tauranga police Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair said police arrested two men after the bar closed at 3am following an alleged incident while police were there earlier in the night.