Everyone's talking about: the Richard Worth affair

Richard Worth. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Columnists and bloggers have not been shy of giving their opinions on the Richard Worth scandal since the former Internal Affairs Minister quit last week. We look at some of them below.

BEST OF THE HERALD:

John Armstrong:

The Herald's political columnist says the Prime Minister and Opposition have backed themselves into respective corners over the handling of the Richard Worth issue.

"The stand-off between John Key and Phil Goff over access to sexually-suggestive text messages allegedly sent by Richard Worth is doing neither party leader any favours."

Kerre Woodham:

The Herald on Sunday columnist says Richard Worth's parliamentary career is now effectively over.

"What on earth would possess a man to think he could engage in this sort of behaviour and get away with it? Especially when one of the women was a Labour Party member. He should be dismissed for that sort of poor judgment alone."

Bill Ralston:

The Herald on Sunday columnist surveys the train wreck that this the Worth affair.

"While my own personal opinion of Worth has always been low I have to agree with the statement issued by his public relations advisers that he has not, as yet, been charged with any offence, he has had no chance to publicly defend himself against the accusations, and there has been a rush to judgment in the media that is, at this time, unsubstantiated by fact or evidence."

Fran O'Sullivan:

The Weekend Herald columnist looks at the Korean connection since Richard Worth was both Internal Affairs Minister and chair of the Korea New Zealand Business Council.

"Key is not saying so publicly, but the Korean connection is also a factor that played into his decision to "forcibly resign" Worth from his portfolios. With a major bilateral round table occurring in Seoul next week, having a minister the subject of tawdry allegations is not helpful."

BEST OF THE WEB:

David Farrar, Kiwiblog:

The prolific blogger takes a jibe at Phil Goff for his handling of one of the complaints against.

"You have to say that as a sexual harassment advocate or advisor, Goff is not going to be your first choice in future. Look at the record:

1. You approach him days after the alleged harassment starts. He doesn't even advise you to keep the messages, or make notes at the time of the phone calls.

2. He doesn't give you any advice on how to get the harassment to stop, Amazingly he lets you endure 100 unwelcome phone calls and text messages over three months, without telling you how to get them to stop.

3. He waits three months until after the last message to then raise the issue."

The Standard

The Standard blog asks what John Key knew about Richard Worth's alleged behaviour and when.

"So, what rumours had Key heard before he chose to appoint Worth to his government, how many other women are involved?"

Richard Long, Stuff:

Richard Long says John Key will emerge looking stronger.

"Six months down and the first minister bites the dust. If he continues at this pace, Prime Minister John Key will easily beat predecessor Helen Clark's record of 10 ministers down the road over nine years.

"In spite of the criticism, Mr Key need not have qualms about his handling of the Richard Worth saga. He will emerge looking the strong man, just as Miss Clark used her tough approach to wayward ministers to cement her standing and image."

Cactus Kate blog

Cactus Kate has two targets - Phil Goff and the Labour Party member who has received texts from Richard Worth.

"Mr Goff said yesterday that the woman was strikingly beautiful."

"And in the process now every red-blooded Kiwi male is thinking "Good on the old bugger (Worth) for having a crack". As they have little wet dreams over a hot exotic looking Indian lady. A lady we can now assume is used to unwanted attention from men adding fuel to the fire that she was not a total innocent in this clear set-up by the Labour Party."

Gordon Campbell on Scoop

Gordon Campbell details three problems for Key in handling Richard Worth.

"There is the little matter of accountability. Regardless of whether a criminal case will finally be made, Worth had been shown remarkable leniency by Key over the past few months."

- NZ HERALD STAFF