WELLINGTON, July 2 — New Zealand's health minister resigned today after a public backlash over his breach of lockdown and his criticism of the civil servant responsible for the country's world-leading coronavirus response. Outgoing minister David Clark was already under a cloud after breaking...
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during a joint press conference at Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia February 28, 2020. — Reuters pic
Outgoing minister David Clark was already under a cloud after breaking lockdown in April and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who faces an election in September, admitted his presence had become a distraction.“As David has said to me, the needs of the team must come before him as an individual.” He kept his job but was kept out of the public eye, with health department director-general Ashley Bloomfield appearing alongside Ardern to give daily updates on the coronavirus crisis.
It meant there was public anger when Clark criticised Bloomfield for a series of mistakes linked to border quarantine and footage went viral of the minister admonishing his subordinate as the civil servant stood by looking crestfallen.Announcing his resignation, Clark insisted he had a warm relationship with Bloomfield and singled him out for praise.“Thank you Ashley and your team for the extraordinary work you have done for our country during our most serious health crisis in a century.
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