Sunday, October 17, 2010

Beloved Paul Henery Resignation.

Paul Henry 
Controversial Breakfast presenter Paul Henry has resigned amid an uproar over racial comments.

Just three weeks after Henry was named the People's Choice at the Qantas media awards, TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis accepted his resignation at a meeting today.

Earlier in the week Henry had been suspended without pay after asking the Prime Minister whether Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand was "even a New Zealander".

The situation escalated when reports emerged of Henry laughing at the name of Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit.

Ellis said the impact on New Zealand's reputation and the relationship between New Zealand and India had reached a crescendo and he commended Henry's decision to resign.

Henry has again apologised for his comments and said it was no longer practical for him to do the job he has "so loved doing". Read Paul Henry's full statement .

"I am astonished and dismayed that my comments have created a diplomatic incident," Henry said. "I walk the finest of lines and accept that I have inadvertently crossed it from time to time."

Henry has had support from thousands of New Zealanders since the scandal broke, and said he is saddened to know that TVNZ has had to suffer the consequences of his actions.

"I do not want to be the lightning rod for racial disharmony in this country," he said.

Ellis has apologised to the Indian community in New Zealand and India, and said he will be apologising to the Governor General in person. Read Rick Ellis' full statement.
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"The reality is that his (Henry's) comments have split the community and damaged New Zealand's international relationships," Ellis said.

"Any suggestion of racism, whether intended or not, is unacceptable."

Ellis acknowledged that thousands of New Zealanders will be disappointed at the outcome, but said the issue has generated a divisive debate and there is no going back from that.

Prime Minister John Key told NZPA that Henry's resignation has brought "closure" to a "sad and regrettable" episode.

7 comments:

  1. I do not see how that is racist...

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  2. There is also this.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QVzKihKiYI

    Its great :D

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  3. fucking piggers. Good luck on your new blog man!

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  4. Can't really blame the guy, it is a pretty funny name.

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  5. I don't think he should have any major repercussions happen after the incident, but I still feel that he handled that incredibly unprofessional. As some sort of "professional presenter", being able to block his laughter (from what isn't even THAT funny to begin with) should be in his darned contract. He can't expect not to be affected by this behaviour.

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  6. From what I have heard, He is good friends with the prime minister of New Zealand, so the government did not really get involved with it. Somebody must have talked with him, or he would have seen what the public thought of him and he decided to resign.

    Gosh, I can't get over how funny his laugh is though.
    :)

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  7. Was it such a big deal? It doesn't sound so...

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