15 Feb 2010

Manager got it wrong on dealings with MPs - ministry

6:53 pm on 15 February 2010

The Ministry of Education says one of its managers got it wrong when he thought opposition and government MPs should be treated differently.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has ordered an urgent report into an e-mail sent by a Christchurch staff member to Labour MP Ruth Dyson.

The e-mail said he had been advised that local issues raised by government MPs could be dealt with by the office, but requests from non-government MPs had to go to the relevant minister.

The ministry says no distinction should be made between MPs and the manager misunderstood the rules.

Labour's State Services spokesperson Grant Robertson is calling for the State Services Commission to investigate the matter.