Stubborn MPs allergic to apologies

Analysis: An apology can kill a news cycle. But for some politicians, sorry still seems to be the hardest word to say.In recent weeks there have been various calls for apologies from MPs and ministers on both sides of the House.The most egregious case has been that of Social Development Minister Louise Upston, who couldn't bring herself to apologise to those who had their main benefits mistakenly cut, despite the prime minister reading the room and doing just that.It was four days between Christopher Luxon fronting up on Friday and saying he would "obviously" apologise to the affected beneficiaries, and Upston finally doing the same in the House on Tuesday afternoon.But even when Upston did get there during Question Time, she had twice earlier in the day refused to do so when given the chance.On Tuesday afternoon in response to a question from Labour's Willow-Jean Prime, Upston said: "I acknowledge that a number of beneficiaries have had their benefit payments affected since the Mandatory Reviews Act came into force, and I apologise to those affected."Earlier in the day, Upston had first said she was waiting for the outcome of a review before taking any further action, and then when a second opportunity arose she incorrectly claimed she had already apologised.Upston and her staff have spent a lot of time and resources in the past week debating reporters over the two issues that led to the first error, winter energy payments failing, and then a second separate mistake affecting main benefits.Spokespeople on behalf of the minister and her department have quibbled over whether it was an "error", a "failure" or a "mistake", and corrections and clarifications have been repeatedly asked for.The effect has been the opposite effect of their intentions - further fueling the story as the minister refused to accept any wrongdoing.Luxon was left out of the narrative because unlike his minister, he and his team had the political nous to see an apology was warranted.Green MP Tamatha Paul questions Police Commissioner Richard Chambers during Parliament's Scrutiny Week.VNP / Phil SmithIncorrect claimsIt's not just ministers getting caught up in end-of-term stubbornness - the Green Party is experiencing the same dig-in disease.Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul has a big social media profile, generating millions of views from videos she produces.One in particular has her in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. In a general debate speech last month, the MP incorrectly claimed a number of government MPs were using Parliamentary perks to add to their property profiles and in turn benefit from the taxpayer.National's Northland MP Grant McCallum was so incensed after being falsely accused he took the unusual move of correcting the record in the House to explain his own situation.McCallum, who had been accused of buying and renting out a property in Wellington, had in reality bought a home in Paihia to use when he was travelling around his electorate.As a result he saves the taxpayer any expense on hotel bills. He added that the house was not being rented out, so he was not benefitting in any way.Other MPs have also spoken out saying they too have been falsely accused by Paul.McCallum asked Paul for an apology, which she hasn't provided, and the Green Party co-leaders have written it off as not a big deal.Even on Wednesday when RNZ put to Marama Davidson that the party was deliberately using incorrect information to make a point about unaffordable housing, the co-leader doubled down, saying the issue was "property investor MPs"."They own multiple properties. That's very public. That's all out there. So we are talking about the principle of a whole lot of property investor disconnected MPs, while we've got a homelessness problem, and they are benefiting from ongoing legislation personally," she told RNZ.The Greens aren't alone though when it comes to using made-up material to make a policy point.McCallum tried to differentiate between "attacking individuals versus attacking policy" when it was pointed out he was promoting a social media post wrongly claiming Labour was campaigning on land tax.Labour's Chris Hipkins has repeatedly ruled out introducing a land tax, but McCallum gave no indication he would delete the post, instead saying that was "different" to what Paul had done.NZ First MP Shane Jones has been accused of making offensive remarks.RNZ / Samuel RillstoneNew Zealand First is also famous for never apologising, and has racked up several inappropriate and offensive comments to Green Party MPs this term - some of which the prime minister has labelled "racist".The Greens have been quick to ask for an apology, and rightfully so, but have almost certainly lost some of the moral high ground they once owned.As the election draws ever closer, it seems every party has agreed on one thing - not to let the facts get in the way of a good story.