National’s Chris Bishop ‘embarrassed’ after being told to leave House for first time

Senior National MP Chris Bishop has been told to leave the House, the first time in his 12-year political career, the minister says.

The moment came as Labour’s finance spokeswoman Barbara Edmonds questioned Finance Minister Nicola Willis, including over whether any partial privatisation of KiwiBank may be considered an asset sale.

That follows comments from the minister on Tuesday after National promised to not campaign on asset sales at the election.

Edmonds took issue with a response from Willis and stood to raise this with the Speaker. She began by saying: “I know it’s a very difficult time for some members on the other side of the House and we are close to an election.”

As she spoke, Bishop interjected. During points of order, politicians are meant to stay silent.

This caught the attention of Speaker Gerry Brownlee, who said “someone is talking and could leave the House right now”.