By 3 News online staff
The Prime Minister only made one written apology this year, and Labour is criticising him for making it to Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater.
John Key's office says the apology followed the release of a private email which led to then Justice Minister Judith Collins' resignation and subsequent investigation clearing her of wrongdoing.
Slater's email claimed Collins was "gunning for" then Serious Fraud Office head Adam Feeley, who she was responsible for as minister.
Leader Andrew Little says there are many others Mr Key could have and should have apologised to, including the complainants in the Roger Sutton case.
Mr Sutton resigned from his job as CERA boss after a complaint from a female staffer of sexual harassment.
"It is appropriate for the Prime Minister, not because he has personally done anything wrong, but because he represents the senior levels of Government and ought to be able to show contrition," Mr Little told Radio New Zealand.
Mr Little says the Prime Minister and Slater are good friends and "can't imagine there was a great deal of hurt and humiliation involved in whatever it was that John Key felt he needed to apologise for".
3 News
source: newshub archive
