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Gallagher spokeswoman apologises for stripper comments
For those unfamiliar (I doubt many will be) with this furore, some senior executive of a major sponsor of the Chiefs rugby team had this to say to a stripper who alleged that some of the players initiated unwelcomed and unconsented-to sexual contact after she was hired to perform at some party.
"Don't take your clothes off, stand in a room of young 20-25-year-old men and not expect something to be annoying, because you've said no".
After being predictably and deservedly demolished in the media and by most people with a modicum of decency, she's come back with this insulting apology:
"I feel terrible that my poor choice of words have caused hurt and alarm. I am even more regretful given that I have always been passionate about championing causes and organisations that improve our communities both professionally on behalf of Gallagher's philanthropic efforts and personally on a number of not for profit boards.
"I most definitely do not condone any kind of mistreatment of women and am extremely regretful that my words yesterday do not reflect the high standard I expect of myself and those I am associated with."
If one didn't know any better, you'd think this was a Donald Trump press release, given the totally excessive narcissism and self-focus. There is no apology to the person concerned; it doesn't apologise for the completely unacceptable sentiments expressed and instead relied on the usual weasel "I misspoke" defence. And goodness me, in an apology this woman can't resist praising herself. Your "high standards" really mean a lot to everybody, lady. The high standards still never quite prevented you from heading down into the gutter and condoning alleged sexual violence! Even more incredibly, this woman is a trustee of the Waikato Women's Refuge, which has refused to cut ties with her.
One also has to question whoever it was that provided PR advice to this woman. Given how badly she shot herself in the foot initially, she almost certainly would have taken advice before releasing the faux apology. If she didn't, then her judgement is even more worthless. Words fail me to describe the nastiness and stupidity of everything here. Incredibly, nobody in the media has bothered to mention that, if the allegations are true, there potentially have been breaches of the Prostitution Reform Act (section 17 - a sex worker may withdraw consent for services at any time) and the prohibition against indecent assault under the Crimes Act.
* I should also say that no one should excuse what the CEO of the Chiefs said initially to these allegations either. But as objectionable as his statement was, it was still quite some ways behind Comer's for objectionability.
