New Zealand: "Yes, I had an affair", Brash admits

The Dominion Post, Wellington, New Zealand ^ | March 16 2004 | Nick Venter

[shaggy eel]

Just days after criticising Helen Clark's "indifference to the institution of marriage", Don Brash has confirmed he had an extramarital affair.

The admission is the latest development in the increasingly bitter battle between the prime minister and the Opposition leader. Yesterday Miss Clark objected to Dr Brash describing her as an atheist.

Dr Brash admitted the affair with his second wife, Je Lan – while he was still married to his first wife, Erica – in an interview with Newstalk ZB yesterday.

"I did have an affair. That's absolutely correct and I acknowledge that. It's not something I'm proud of," he said.

But he said the affair did not disqualify him from expressing a view on the value of marriage. "I take the institution of marriage very seriously."

Dr Brash's criticism of Miss Clark was made in a letter in which he turned down an invitation to speak at Christchurch Cathedral, the place where the prime minister had made an assault on him two weeks ago. To support his criticism, his office yesterday distributed an article from NZ Catholic in which the prime minister was quoted as telling the gay Express newspaper that marriage had a lot of "inappropriate connotations".

"I take the institution of marriage very seriously." - Don Brash

"Personally, if civil union had been in place when I was much younger I certainly would have chosen that option," Miss Clark was quoted as saying.

Dr Brash labelled Miss Clark an atheist in his letter to the cathedral.

"You will be aware of my views that it is not appropriate for a cathedral to be used for such (political) purposes, even leaving aside the prime minister's atheism, her abandonment of grace at state functions and her indifference to the institution of marriage," he wrote. "Some might be unkind enough to suggest that this is a rather unholy alliance."

Miss Clark said she was not going to have Dr Brash describe her personal beliefs. "I'm not aware of ever describing myself as an atheist," she said. "I describe myself as an agnostic."

Dr Brash could not be contacted last night, but he has said he stopped attending church about 10 years ago and no longer thinks people in the 21st century can believe in such articles of faith as the resurrection and the virgin birth. However, he says he has the highest regard for many people in the institutional church.

A spokesman for the National leader said Dr Brash had not criticised Miss Clark for her lack of religious belief but for using the cathedral for a political speech, given her views on religion and marriage.

[shaggy eel]

ping

[shaggy eel]

ping

[johniegrad]

Jeesh.

[lelio]

"I take the institution of marriage very seriously."

So did Reverend Dimsdale.

[mountaineer]

Miss Clark said she was not going to have Dr Brash describe her personal beliefs. "I'm not aware of ever describing myself as an atheist," she said. "I describe myself as an agnostic." Dr Brash could not be contacted last night, but he has said he stopped attending church about 10 years ago and no longer thinks people in the 21st century can believe in such articles of faith as the resurrection and the virgin birth. However, he says he has the highest regard for many people in the institutional church.

Well, that's encouraging. They're both worthless.

[shaggy eel]

,,, forgot to ping you! This is to make clear the stands taken by these two before the introduction of the Civil Unions Bill, to go before Parliament later this year - the gay marriage legislation.

[johniegrad]

You too?

[xrp]

Nothing like throwing stones in a glass house.

[toddst]

Dr Brash admitted the affair with his second wife, Je Lan – while he was still married to his first wife, Erica – in an interview with Newstalk ZB yesterday.

Shag, I'm curious does this inflict any serious harm on Don Brash? It's not like he simply had an affair - he married the woman. Geesh, we all make mistakes.

[shaggy eel]

,,, they're both globalists but Brash isn't into creating elite sections of society in order to secure voting blocs, as Klark is. Genuine socialists must feel backed into a corner with him (right wing) saying all New Zealanders should be treated equally.

[Renfield]

Bit of poetic irony there, him being named "Brash"....

[shaggy eel]

,,, yep, it's a socialist agenda with a global rollout.

[Paradox]

I did something quite similar to what Dr. Brash did. It is something that I regret doing to this day. The whole thing was the biggest mistake of my life. That was over 10 years ago.

Like Rush has said though, regardless of what _I_ did, the truth is still the truth, right and wrong are still right and wrong. Just because I made a mistake doesn't make the ideals and principles that I went against, wrong. Just makes me fallible...

[shaggy eel]

,,, g'day Todd. This far out from an election it's best to get the skeletons out of the closets. That's it as far as Brash is concerned. It looks like XRP is onto it though... I'll dig up a little piece for you and post it.

[shaggy eel]

,,, the way he's going - he had nothing to lose when he started opening his mouth, now people are waiting for the next words! He was spot on about Klark doing business in the temple. That had to be said.

[shaggy eel]

,,, and I'm no different to you in that regard.

[Renfield]

Shaggy, I really don't understand the New Zealand political landscape. All the people I met there were very sensible, and Kiwis strike me as most like Americans in temperment and demeanor, among all the world's peoples. Of the several dozen I know, I can't think of a single one who would be a Klark supporter. What is her political power base? Who votes for her? (There can't be that many Maoris there...)

[toddst]

Thanks, look forward to the additional info. You doin' OK?