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United States Bob Carr's lawyers send legal letter to Winston Peters
Lawyers for former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr have confirmed they are looking to commence defamation proceedings against Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
In a letter obtained by 1News, Carr's lawyers said Peters' statements in an interview on RNZ this morning are "indefensibly defamatory" and have "no basis in fact".
In the interview Peters criticised the former Australian senator's views on the security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
He also made allegations concerning Carr's relationship with China.
Labour's foreign affairs spokesperson said the taxpayer shouldn't pay any potential legal costs.
Earlier today, a spokesperson for Peters told RNZ the minister would respond if he received formal notification of any such action.
This evening, a spokesperson for Carr confirmed the letter has been sent to Peters' Parliamentary email address and is signed by Carr's lawyers.
"Our client has never had any business relationship with any Chinese entity, nor has he ever served on the board of any Chinese company, nor has he ever been in receipt of any income from any Chinese company," the letter reads.
The letter also highlights concerns with Peters' remarks being "widely reported" in other media as a "natural and probable consequence of [Peters'] publication of statements".
Winston Peters referred to former Australian politician Bob Carr as having close links with China.
"In the circumstances, we place you on notice that we are now in the process of instructing New Zealand lawyers to advise in relation to the immediate commencement in New Zealand of defamation proceedings against you.
"We also place you on notice that any further publication of the same or similar defamatory statements about our client will be relief upon in support of a claim for aggravated damages in the foreshadowed proceedings."
Peters' office has been contacted for comment.
On Friday morning, Labour foreign affairs spokesman David Parker said he believed Peters' comments were "very damaging" to New Zealand's international relations.
He also said New Zealand should not be footing the bill for any legal costs that may be incurred by Peters.
"I don't see why the taxpayer should pay," Parker said.
