Rotary turns Peters down

The Rotary club of Dunedin  has withdrawn a speaking invitation to Winston Peters but the Otago Chamber of Commerce will still welcome him.

Mr Peters stood aside from his role as Foreign Affairs Minister on Friday after the Serious Fraud Office began an investigation regarding donations to his party.

Rotary club committee director Chris Willis said last night Mr Peters was to have spoken in his capacity as Foreign Affairs Minister on New Zealand’s place in the world.

Because he had stepped aside, and because the September 19 date was getting closer, it was decided to withdraw the invitation, Mr Willis said.

Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Christie said Mr Peters was still expected to speak – in his role as the leader of a political party – at a business function on the same date.

“That hasn’t changed yet. It should be an interesting meeting,” Mr Christie said.

Interesting is such an interesting adjective.