Maharey tenders resignation

Newshub reports:

Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall says Pharmac chair Steve Maharey has tendered his resignation over political columns he wrote while holding the senior public service role. 

Dr Verrall says she has confidence in Maharey and “I haven’t seen anything that concerns me here” but she is seeking advice from the Public Service Commission.

Maharey is the chair of Pharmac, ACC and Education New Zealand.

It follows the sacking of Te Whatu Ora chair Rob Campbell last week, after he attacked the National Party on social media. 

The Government says the difference in Maharey’s case is that he has accepted an issue with his actions whereas Campbell stood by his comments.

“In terms of with Mr Campbell, he called the Leader of the Opposition stupid and he implied his policies were racist,” said Dr Verrall. “While he apologised to me, he then doubled down on those criticisms in the press. Mr Maharey has reached out and been contrite.”

I’m not sure there is a big difference between the cases.

Campbell said he was willing to agree to a protocol about what he could say in future. Also he apologised directly to Luxon.

Of course Campbell is not a former Labour Cabinet Minister.

If they refuse to accept Maharey’s resignation, after sacking Campbell, they could be open to judicial review?