Ex Minister Judith Collins Feeling Upset and Insulted By New Zealand PM Over The Privilege For Ex Ministers

Judith Collins, the former justice minister in John Key's government, has slammed the prime minister for insulting her by declining to recommend her name to use the honorific "The Honourable" for life entitled for ex-ministers.

An upset Collins told Fairfax Media. ''I'm hurt and shocked. ''Frankly, I have to say, you could knock me down with a feather...It's appalling,'' reports Radio. Nz.

Oversight

A spokeswoman for the prime minister clarified that as and when Collins is cleared in the current inquiry, the PM will recommend her name to the governor-general to be granted the right to use the title The Honourable for life.'

The government's stand contravenes the custom that outgoing ministers have to be granted the right for using that title upon recommendation of the prime minister to the governor-general. Assuaging her concerns, Prime Minister John Key also clarified that it was case of oversight. The PM said that since Collins is the subject of a government inquiry, the government did not take a final decision whether she will be allowed to use the title. "Maybe my office didn't talk her through the process. There is nothing unusual about it", the PM noted.

Controversial Exit

Collins resigned in August 2014, following her alleged role involving a 2011 email where she hinted about an alleged campaign to discredit Adam Feeley, who was the boss of Serious Fraud Office. The Key government later ordered an inquiry, led by retired High Court Judge Lester Chisholm. While sending the email, Collins was in charge of the SFO, and State Services Commission, investigating Feeley on a case related to a scandal covering finance company CEO Mark Hotchin.

The e-mail message implied that Collins was ''gunning'' for Feeley, even though Collins has denied it and said she would be exonerated by the inquiry.

Double Standards

Collins sees grave injustice in the title row as many ministers who had quit earlier on controversial situations have been awarded it. There arethe cases of Tony Ryall and Tariana Turia having that honour. Former Ministers Richard Worth and Pansy Wong, who too quit in the wake of scandals are using the formal title.

Her former colleagues Chris Tremain and Kate Wilkinson too got the title in January despite having been shunted out in a reshuffle. Even the indicted former ACT leader John Banks, accused of filing a false electoral return, has been using the title for more than a decade.

The Stuff. Co. Nz reported that even a parliamentary veteran expressed surprise at this breach of protocol. He said it breached a "clear custom that everyone who had a full three-year term as minister must get automatic confirmation." Though Collins has been returned to Parliament, she will have a low profile role as a backbench MP. Mr. Key has already stated that Collins will not get a berth in his new cabinet.