The embattled Mayor of Invercargill Nobby Clark is refusing to be silenced — despite being formally censured and asked to step back from public appearances.
1News has been leaked an email Clark sent to councillors the day after they voted for the mayor to delegate his public events for the rest of the council term.
The meeting was called after a code of conduct complaint against Clark due to his behaviour at a United Fire Brigades Association function.
Clark allegedly referred to volunteer firefighters as second-class citizens, attacked the MC on her appearance and falsely implied that she was having an affair with the Association’s president.
Clark wrote that he was "disappointed by this process" and he wanted to reiterate that "I am not resigning".
He said he would write an apology to the MC and will formally apologise to the council at the meeting on Tuesday.
But Clark said he did not accept the council's request for him to delegate his public appearances.
"I do not accept the restricted role in resolution 8 and I intend to fully perform my mayoral duties as authorised in the [Local Government] Act.
"Those duties include invites to speak at public meetings and in other forums such as interfacing with international delegations, Ministers of the Crown, LGNZ and local councils," said Clark.
In April, councillors Ian Pottinger and Ria Bond filed a code of conduct complaint against Clark after his appearance on the television show New Zealand Today. Clark was defending his previous use of the N-word and then repeated it while on the show.
In the email, Clark also said that he supported free speech in a democracy but that freedom came with some degree of accountability. He said he and his partner, Karen Carter, and family were being affected by the situation.
"Both Karen and I have spoken publically [sic] recently about the impact of gas lighting (which is a technique of name calling a person without debating the issue and without providing evidence) and the impact on us both and our wider family.
Merian-Webster defined gaslighting as: "Psychological manipulation of a person, usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts."
Clark continued: "In my 5 years in politics, I have never 'played the man'.
"My advice, given yesterday’s meeting that also included this, is that my 'thick skin' and desire not to challenge this inappropriate behaviour, is now at an end.
"Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of my values and I like to be transparent, and you are free to express whatever you wish.
"Please be aware if you feel it is OK to refer to me as a racist, homophobic, sexist, misogynist and ageism, you will need to provide evidence that supports those views when I challenge those comments."
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