Prime Minister John Key is standing by National MP Aaron Gilmore following calls he should resign over claims he abused a bar worker.
The Christchurch list MP is in trouble over his behaviour at the Heritage Hotel during the party's regional conference in Hanmer Springs last weekend.
Aaron Gilmore. Photo: NATIONAL PARTY
Mr Gilmore was dining with friends at the hotel on Saturday when he threatened to get the Prime Minister's Office to sack a waiter who had refused to bring him more wine.
Service and Food Workers Union spokesperson Chas Muir said Mr Gilmore has abused his role as an MP and should stand down.
"I don't think anybody's entitled to treat people in hospitality with such contempt and disrespect. And as far as Mr Gilmore's concerned, he is in a position of power.
"He's abused that position of power, he's bullied this individual and more so than that, threatened them with their job. It's totally appalling and unacceptable."
John Key said on Friday he is "very disappointed" with the MP, but a formal complaint would need to be made for the matter to go any further.
"I think he's let himself down very badly. My MPs are quite clear (on) my expectations of their behaviour when they're in public, and I don't think he met those expectations."
Mr Key said it would be a more serious matter if Mr Gilmore was found to have misled his office.
However, Chas Muir said Mr Key should not wait for a formal complaint, but investigate the matter now.
Meanwhile, Aaron Gilmore has written a formal apology to the Prime Minister and the hotel.
The MP has written on his Facebook page his comments were inappropriate and he was sorry for any offence taken by hotel staff and others. He said his behaviour has brought shame to his family, friends and his work as a MP and wishes to move on from the whole episode.
Aaron Gilmore was a list MP from the 2008 election until the 2011 election. In February this year he returned to Parliament after the resignation of Speaker Lockwood Smith, who is now New Zealand's High Commissioner in London.
'No future' in politics
Political commentator Matthew Hooton believes Aaron Gilmore has no future in politics.
Mr Hooton told Radio New Zealand's Checkpoint programme on Friday even if the MP doesn't resign over the behaviour, he will probably to be out of Parliament by the next election in 2014.
"Politics is a tough game; it will be uncomfortable for him if he chose to stay. I guess all politicians develop thick skins - quite incredibly thick skins.
"If he does want to hang round in Parliament going nowhere for 18 months, that would suggest he would have one of the thickest skins of all."
Mr Hooton says Mr Gilmore's future should be handled by the National Party's chief whip.
