PM condemns Holmes race jibe

By STUART DYE

Prime Minister Helen Clark has distanced New Zealand from broadcaster Paul Holmes' description of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan as a "cheeky darkie".

In a tirade during his morning radio show on NewstalkZB, Holmes said the world was not going to be told how to live by a Ghanaian.

He also said he could not be likened to Hitler because he "would not keep the records", and questioned whether the large number of women journalists made the craft "ignorant and bitchy".

He several times referred to Mr Annan, winner of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize, as a "cheeky darkie".

Holmes last night "unreservedly withdrew" the comments, admitting that what he said was "appalling".

The radio and TV star said he was not a racist, but had "surrendered to baseness".

His comments have been universally condemned.

Helen Clark distanced New Zealand from Holmes' words.

"That comment was completely unacceptable and demeaning of one of the world's top civil servants," she said. "I would not want New Zealand in any way to be associated with such comments."

Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said the comments were insulting and belittling.

"It is not a very appropriate way to describe the Secretary-General of the United Nations," he said. "The colour of his skin is hardly an issue.

"It is a free country but people who have positions of responsibility on the airwaves should also exercise their responsibility appropriately."

Foreign Minister Phil Goff said Mr Annan was one of the most respected leaders in the world.

Speaking from Washington DC, he said: "To make a comment that will be regarded as personally insulting to that man I think is highly regrettable."

When Holmes received complaints during the show comparing his comments to Hitler, he told listeners: "I'm not Hitler, because I would not keep records."

Jewish Council president David Zwartz said a joke about Hitler was in really bad taste.

"It calls his reputability very much into question," he said.

In a separate item on the programme, Holmes also criticised the high number of women journalists.

"At certain times of the month do newspapers get particularly judgmental?" he said.

The station and the Broadcasting Standards Authority have received complaints about the show.

The president of the 300-strong Ghanaian Association of New Zealand, Emmanuel Ntreh, said they would complain to the authority and the Race Relations Commissioner.

"It is indeed very disappointing for a person of Mr Holmes' calibre to use such inflamed comments to put across his difference of opinion on an issue, which has nothing to do with race or nationality.

"The Ghanaian community finds it inappropriate and insulting and therefore condemn in no uncertain terms these comments by Mr Holmes," Mr Ntreh said.

Last night, Holmes said he felt sick to the stomach when he thought back to the comments.

"I think regret would be an understatement. I'm sick in my guts about it, actually," Holmes said.

"It was wrong. It was stupid.

"I've tried as a broadcaster, year in and year out, to be a voice of tolerance in the morning.

"I welcome immigrants to this country of all colours and creeds ... "

Newstalk ZB said the comments had been unreservedly withdrawn. It said Holmes realised after the show that he'd overstepped the mark and he regretted any offence.

General manager Bill Francis said the matter was being dealt with internally.