John Tamihere, a member of parliament for New Zealand's governing Labor Party, has said in a newspaper interview that he was "sick and tired of hearing how many Jews got gassed. Not because I’m not revolted by it – I am – or I’m not violated by it – I am – but because I already know that”. The statements were met with quick condemnation from international groups as well as his own party. In a press release, prime minister Helen Clark described his comments as "deeply offensive to New Zealanders" and added that "the statements are also offensive and utterly unacceptable to the New Zealand Labor Party." Clark went on to apologize on behalf of her party: "The pain caused to the Jewish community and to others who suffered in the Holocaust by these thoughtless comments is acknowledged and deeply regretted by the Labor Party." The prime minister sent Tamihere on "extended leave", thus temporarily suspending him from the parliamentary Labor Party. The MP had also attacked Clark personally, saying she was surrounded by gays and lesbians, her chief adviser was "butch" and her female-dominated government was anti-men and allowed labor unions too much influence.