Hanmer welcomes Gilmore apology

Tuesday, 7 May 2013

The Christchurch lawyer who dined with shamed MP Aaron Gilmore on a boozy night in Hanmer Springs stands by his allegations that the list MP threatened to get the prime minister's office involved to have a waiter sacked.

However, Hamner Springs residents have welcomed today's apology by Gilmore and say this should mark the end of the controversy.

Gilmore, the 59th-ranked National list MP, fronted a press conference at Parliament this morning to apologise for his behaviour towards a hotel waiter, saying he was rude and a bully. ''If there was a dickhead that night, it was me.''

Christchurch lawyer Andrew Riches, who dined with Gilmore, was so embarrassed by the MP's behaviour that he left the waiter an apology note.

Riches alleged Gilmore asked the barman 'Do you know who I am?' and threatened to have Prime Minister John Key intervene to have him sacked.

Gilmore today denied both allegations.

''There was no involvement of the prime minister's office. I had a discussion with the barman over my understanding of the liquor laws, and that I understood someone could be fired if they served a drunk person … I did not use the words 'Do you know who I am?' '

Asked whether he was accusing Riches of lying, Gilmore said: ''Look, he had as much, if not more, to drink than I.

''I'm saying that of the people in the party a number of persons had significant amounts to consume.

''I know exactly what I had to drink that evening. I do not know exactly what Mr Riches had to consume that evening but he had at least as much I did.

''The words that he used to describe the incident were not the words that I believe I said.''

Gilmore said his group was not denied service until he went to pay the bill and wanted to buy another bottle of wine to take to his room.

''He [the barman] didn't know who I was. I gave him my card. He asked, 'Who are you?'  I said, 'I'm a member of Parliament, I have an understanding of the alcohol laws and I understand you can be fired for serving drunk persons','' he said.

''He then said, 'Do you know the prime minister?' My response was, 'Yes, I work for him'.''

But today Riches said he stood by his original statement. It was 'considered in detail before release' and he would not back down on it.

'I stand by this statement and the events of the past week have not caused me to resile in any way,' he said.

'I will be making no further comment and will allow the public to draw their own conclusions.'

Asked whether he called the waiter a dickhead, Gilmore said: ''I'm not 100 per cent certain whether I used the word dickhead or dick, or words to that extent to the barman at that stage.''

Gilmore denied allegations of sleazy conduct and clicking his fingers at waiting staff.

''Look, there was no sleazy behaviour that was carried out by myself that I am aware of. I think those scandalous comments are completely out of line and I'm not here to talk about my relationships or anything that occurred, other than apologise for my comments to a barman.''

GILMORE NOT FIRST TO GET DRUNK IN HANMER SPRINGS

In Hanmer Springs today, locals said Gilmore was not the first person to get drunk and abusive in the resort town.

Jacqui Eggleton, 41, said people came to the town 'to let off steam' every weekend.

She said 'everyone comes up here now' for stag and hen nights and to get away after the earthquakes damaged much of Christchurch's nightlife. 'I think it's just been blown out of proportion.'

She did not think Gilmore should have to resign. 'No, definitely not.'

Lisa Lochhead, 40, of Hanmer Springs, said there was always 'one in a group of people who was a bit unpleasant' to those who worked in the hospitality industry.

While it was wrong that Gilmore tried to use his position 'to get what he wants', the issue had 'dragged on for too long'.

Now that he had apologised, 'let it be and move on'.

Sharon Nichol, 40, a property manager, of Hanmer Springs, said Gilmore was getting 'far too much publicity' over the incident.

Heritage Hotel staff had handled the incident well and Gilmore should have apologised sooner, she said. 'As soon as he sobered up, he should've apologised.'

Joel Melchor, 39, of Hanmer Springs, said he thought Gilmore's behaviour was 'unprofessional', but today's apology was a step in the right direction.

He said Gilmore should also personally say sorry to the waiter and hotel staff.

Mel Wilson, 27, of Hanmer Springs, said the apology should have come sooner but Gilmore was not the first to be 'obnoxious' to staff.

However, as a tourist destination, 'we just have to take it on the nose really'.

Rebecca Long, 38, of Hanmer Springs, said the amount of media attention the incident had received was 'ridiculous'.

Several people were 'rude' to hospitality staff, 'but those incidents don't end up in the news'.

'We all have said a few silly things after we've had a few drinks. We're all human.'

Now that Gilmore had apologised, 'that's it'.

Sydney visitor David Quinlan, 75, said Gilmore behaved like a 'jerk' that night and his apology was not enough.

'John Key should can him.'

GILMORE SAYS HE HAS APOLOGISED BUT WILL NOT RESIGN

Today, Gilmore said he drank ''three glasses of wine and three beers over the entire evening, ranging from 6.30pm to 10.45pm''.

He apologised to the the party, Key and all MPs. He has written to the hotel, which will not make an official complaint.

''My actions were unbecoming and embarrassing. I learnt a tough lesson; one that I definitely don't want to repeat.''

He also apologised to his family, friends and partner. 

His voice cracked as he said: ''This past week has been one of hell for them, and I'm sorry for the hurt, distress and worry my actions have caused.''

Gilmore said he would not resign ''for a number of reasons''.

''I still believe I have a contribution to make to Parliament and I hope I can put this lack of judgment behind me,'' he said.

'Finally, if there is one thing I have learnt it is that I need to operate my life with far more dignity, humility and grace.''

Asked whether he had an arrogant streak, Gilmore replied: ''I'm not here to say that I don't have an ability to be rude and arrogant to a number of persons. Hence my statement that in my life generally I need to have a bit more humility and grace.''

Gilmore went from the press conference to a caucus meeting, where he was expected to receive a dressing-down from MP colleagues.

On his way to the meeting, Key said there was never an expectation that Gilmore would resign.

''It's extremely important that he does say sorry because in the end the expectation on MPs, rightfully so, is that they adhere to a high level of behaviour,'' he said.

'He's got some work to do now with the New Zealand public to prove he has got a good contribution to make. He will need to go out there and earn the respect of those people.'