MP says car passenger hit him with bag

Trevor Mallard says he and the car's occupants exchanged heated words. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Labour MP Trevor Mallard has given police a statement about an altercation with a car passenger who allegedly swung a bag at him while he was riding his bike in Wellington on Wednesday.

The man has laid a complaint against Mr Mallard, but the MP says he isn't going to retaliate in the same way.

"What I've given the police is a statement, it's not a complaint," he said yesterday. "I decided police have better things to do with their time."

Mr Mallard said he was on a regular morning ride with four or five friends and had reached Willis St in the city centre when a car behind them hooted loudly.

He pulled left and the car went past, cutting him off.

"I briefly remonstrated with the occupants of the car but they accelerated and went through the Ghuznee St lights - which had changed to red.

"I stopped, but caught up again at the Manners St intersection, told them they were dangerous and a brief, heated verbal exchange resulted."

The car took off again and then stopped.

"I was riding at 25km/h to 30km/h. The male passenger got out of the passenger side ... He stood behind the car. When I was close he took a step out and swung a bag."

Mr Mallard said he released his feet from the pedals and put up one hand.

"The bag hit me on my left foot and was knocked out of his hand."

Mr Mallard said he was shaken but rode off. The car again caught up with him and the woman driver abused him.

He invited her to come to the police station with him to discuss the incident but she drove off.

The Hutt South MP has a reputation for having a short fuse and got into trouble for punching National MP Tau Henare in Parliament's lobby in 2007.

But he said he was sure the occupants of the car didn't at first recognise him and there was no way he could have been a target because of his past.

He said he definitely didn't hit the man and didn't know what the complaint against him was about.

"You can't take a step out, swing a bag at someone and make a complaint when it hits their foot," he said.

Wellington area police commander Peter Cowan confirmed a complaint had been received from the car passenger and said inquiries were at a preliminary stage.

Mr Cowan said there appeared to be two versions of the incident and he intended speaking to Mr Mallard next week. Mr Mallard said he would be happy to talk to the police and make a sworn statement.

He released an email from one of the cyclists who was with him on the ride.

"If you want to take it further I will back you up," the email said.

"I saw him stand by the car, step out and try and hit you with his bag ... I was worried about hitting you. Great skills to stay upright."

Mr Mallard said the most dangerous aspect of the incident was that he could have fallen off, bringing down the cyclists behind him.

"We could have been hit by a bus for all I know."

- NZPA