New Zealand Waitress In Ponytail-Pulling Controversy Considers Legal Action Against John Key

The waitress who had her ponytail repeatedly pulled by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is considering legal action over the incident. Unite Union has announced it will be willing to provide assistance to Bailey if she decides to push through with her plans.

Amanda Bailey, 26, wrote an anonymous article published on The Daily Blog last week, in which she revealed that Mr Key had pulled her ponytail several times for over a period of months. The waitress said the prime minister had apologised and said he was just “horsing around” but after repeated requests of asking him to stop.

The waitress said his harassment continued despite Mr Key’s wife, Bronagh, told him off for his behaviour. The prime minister had reportedly given her two bottles of wine by way of apology.

Bailey had approached the union after she was named as the author of the anonymous article. “Unite will be advising Amanda on employment issues and assisting to resolve concerns about how her identity was revealed by the New Zealand Herald,” said the statement of Unite Union. The union generally represents low-paid employees in the hospitality industry.

Shanna Reeder, a spokesperson for the union, said Bailey had sought help from a representative, who has advised the waitress on the best possible course of action. The legal action and the party it will be against still remain unclear.

Reeder said Bailey had a “pretty rough time” and wanted to maintain her dignity. The union believes Bailey is “an intelligent young woman” and capable of making her own decisions. Reeder added that the union is willing to help her throughout the process.

Human Rights Commissioner Jackie Blue criticised Mr Key’s actions while serial litigant Graham McCready submitted documents for filing on a proposed assault case against New Zealand’s prime minister.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Grant Robertson said the “ponytail-puller” is regarded with disdain but he made it into the world stage, reports New Zealand Herald. “The Washington Post headlined its report ‘prime minister a national embarrassment’ and we known he’s lost the plot,” said the opposition MP.

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