7 Mar 2014

$50,000 donated to 'spoof' appeal

6:35 pm on 7 March 2014

The Conservative Party says its public appeal for money to fund a defamation suit against Greens' co-leader Russel Norman is only a spoof of the Greens' campaign, but donations are rolling in nonetheless.

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig Photo: CONSERVATIVE PARTY

The Green Party called for donations this week after Mr Craig confirmed he would be taking legal action against Dr Norman for comments he made at the Big Gay Out event in Auckland in February.

Dr Norman commented that Mr Craig thinks a woman's place is in the kitchen and a gay man's place is in the closet.

Mr Craig, a millionaire, said he has been prepared to fund the legal action himself, but people have repeatedly approached him asking how they could help. By mid-afternoon on Friday the mock campaign had raised $50,000.

Mr Craig said he's not worried about Dr Norman accusing him of plagarism.

"Hopefully - although he might not - hopefully, he'll see it as a bit of good humour. And I don't see any reason why we can't have a good-humoured debate, but I am asking for him to be a little more accurate in his comments from now on."

The Green Party has launched its own appeal for help defending the action.