Laws admits 'relationship', secret texts

Whanganui Mayor Michael Laws says a political agenda is behind the imminent release of his "intimate" text messages.

The claim follows a bizarre statement being released by Laws today, where he admitted a secret relationship with a woman whose life experiences were "completely different" to his. He was speaking out ahead of a media organisation exposing salacious text messages between the pair this weekend.

Late this afternoon, in an Auckland restaurant, Laws blamed the fiasco on political opposition: "The release of this information is an attempt to defame me ... There is a political agenda at play."

There was speculation last month that Laws and NZ First leader Winston Peters were to team up and relaunch the political party. Peters later said he had no knowledge of it.

Also, Laws' ex-wife, Leonie Brookhammer, last week said she would stand for the Whanganui District Council at this year's elections.

In Laws' statement, released this afternoon, he said he separated from his partner at the end of last year.

''This has been a very trying, emotional and painful experience for us both. For the past eight months I have been a single man, and, to be perfectly honest, somewhat rudderless.  It has been difficult for me to adjust to being single and living alone, to not caring for my children every day, and to not being in a loving and supportive relationship.''

''I have attempted to discharge my public duties - my mayoralty and media responsibilities - as best I can and they, and especially my children, have been my primary focus.

In June of this year I met someone in Auckland and, quite unexpectedly, entered a physical relationship.  This lady had life experiences that were completely different to my own.  I was intoxicated by such an unusual background and flattered by her attentions.''

Laws said the two shared texts and messages ''of an intimate nature''.

He was not involved in any other relationship during this time.

''I have been informed that details of texts and messages between this lady and myself have been made public.''

Laws said the relationship was ''unwise''.

''I am not a saint.  I make mistakes.  However my private life is irrelevant to the discharge of my public responsibilities. My intent has never been to hurt nor upset anyone but this is a situation I deeply regret and for which I am genuinely sorry.

Laws said he knew the incident would look bad.

"This only happened on a couple of occasion and it was between consenting adults but hey, I stuffed up, and if I look back now, it’s not a brilliant situation," he told 3 News.

He did not know what the motivation behind the texts supposedly being released was.

"I think also there was an expectation perhaps that she might've had that was you know, not on my part, I don't know. Ah, it's not for me to answer that question, I don't know."

Laws said he would not comment further.

However, he has been interviewed on RadioLIVE, where he confirmed a media organisation was going to release the information on Sunday.

He read his statement, and added that he was ashamed and very embarrassed. He had been infatuated and intoxicated by a woman and her exotic background.

"I've entered into a relationship that was unwise; it was overtly physical ... I feel ashamed.

"I did something to cause a grievance that was certainly not my intention.

Discussing the texts, he acknowledged they were "salacious". "I willingly concede that, and you would never hope to see this sort of intimacy being made public."

He said: "I made a mistake, I was unwise with my choices through out this entire matter and that's the fact of it."

LAWS' FULL STATEMENT:

One of the hardest things to do in life is to admit that you are wrong.

That you have done things that are muddle-headed and misguided and have brought hurt and pain to those that you like and love.

An incident from my private life is about to become public.

At the very end of last year I separated from my partner and mother of my three youngest children.  This has been a very trying, emotional and painful experience for us both.

For the past eight months I have been a single man.

And, to be perfectly honest, somewhat rudderless.  It has been difficult for me to adjust to being single and living alone, to not caring for my children every day, and to not being in a loving and supportive relationship.

I have attempted to discharge my public duties - my mayoralty and media responsibilities - as best I can and they, and especially my children, have been my primary focus.

In June of this year I met someone in Auckland and, quite unexpectedly, entered a physical relationship.  This lady had life experiences that were completely different to my own.  I was intoxicated by such an unusual background and flattered by her attentions.

We met only twice.  We have shared texts and messages of an intimate nature connected to the physical attraction that seemed to exist between us.

I was not involved in any other relationship during this time.

I have been informed that details of texts and messages between this lady and myself have been made public.

Because I am a public figure, details of my intimate private life are considered fair game by some.

As a single man I entered a relationship that was unwise.  I did not seek to cause distress, but I have.

I particularly wish to apologise to my family.  They are affected by my actions and I have been foolish in my private life.

I also wish to apologise to those who have been the subject of gossip.  They are being singled out because of their association with me.  They do not deserve such attention or scorn.

I am not a saint.  I make mistakes.  However my private life is irrelevant to the discharge of my public responsibilities.

My intent has never been to hurt nor upset anyone but this is a situation I deeply regret and for which I am genuinely sorry.

I will not be making any further comment on this matter.

- with Hamish Coleman-Ross

- © Fairfax NZ News