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Dunedin mayor Dave Cull has been forced into a hasty apology after asking a member of the public if he was “deaf or just stupid”.
Mr Cull was addressing Port Chalmers resident Stu Debenham, who was speaking in the public forum at the start of today’s Dunedin City Council meeting.
As Mr Debenham attacked Mr Cull for taking overseas and domestic trips, including in his role as Local Government New Zealand president, Mr Cull grew frustrated.
After repeatedly asking Mr Debenham not to personalise his presentation, and being ignored, Mr Cull snapped as the verbal attacks continued.
“Mr Debenham, are you deaf or just stupid?” he asked, drawings audible gasps from the public gallery.
Mr Debenham continued, urging the council to suspend Mr Cull’s travel until rates came down, apologise to ratepayers and consider resigning.
Mr Cull interjected again, firstly to “apologise for implying you were stupid”.
He then ordered Mr Debenham to end his “repetitious, disrespectful and offensive” presentation.
“I will ask you to leave now,” he told Mr Debenham, whose mic was then cut.