Shane Jones denies 'knee pads' remark was oral sex reference
New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is facing backlash after using a 'knee pads' remark during a speech, which critics interpreted as a sexual reference. Jones has denied the implication, labeling the criticism as a product of 'woke' media bias.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding political decorum and the role of media interpretation in modern political discourse.
New Zealand First deputy Shane Jones says his "knee pads" jibe was a "harmless and innocuous expression" that could have meant anything from gardening to volleyball.
Jones was pressed on the remark on Tuesday after it was widely interpreted as a reference to oral sex.
"That was a colourful expression," Jones told reporters at Parliament.
"Sadly, people have read luridity into it, whereas all I was meaning is that when you go to an event hosted for ethno-national purposes for a foreign leader, number one, don't bow down."
Jones made the reference to "knee pads" during his party conference speech on Saturday, criticising Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and other MPs for their conduct during the visit of India's prime minister, Narendra Modi.
"The next time you go to an ethno-nationalist rally to receive a foreign leader, take off your knee pads," Jones bellowed.
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