Mayoral candidate removes blog item

Wellington mayoral candidate John McGrath has removed an item from his campaign blog questioning Mayor Kerry Prendergast's impartiality, after receiving a lawyer's letter.

The item, which appeared last Thursday, drew attention to the fact Ms Prendergast is married to Rex Nicholls, part-owner of the Trekkers Hotel in Upper Cuba St, being redeveloped as a hotel and apartment complex.

Mr McGrath, an event manager and restaurant owner, said the item had been supplied by a correspondent and adapted for use on his blog by a member of his campaign team. He had not been aware of it, even though it was written in his name.

As soon as he had learnt of its existence he had telephoned Ms Prendergast, a "friend", to apologise. The team member responsible was no longer working on his campaign. Only he would be writing the blog from now on.

"I'm new at this, and that's my first mistake," he said.

In the letter to Mr McGrath, Mr Nicholls' lawyer Kerry Knight said the item included the "blatantly false" claim that his client owned a lot of property in Wellington. Mr Nicholls co- owned just two properties in Wellington, his home and the hotel/apartment complex. Mr Nicholls also objected to an insinuation in the item. Unless the item was removed and a corrrection and apology inserted in its place, his client would begin legal proceedings against him.

Mr McGrath said the item had been removed and he was preparing an apology to go in its place.

Ms Prendergast said she was surprised to hear Mr McGrath, whom she used to see a lot socially, had allowed the item to be be posted on his website.

- © Fairfax NZ News