EA verbal slip-up by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has surprisingly contributed to a good cause: The signed transcript of a heated exchange of words in parliament fetched more than 63,000 dollars (around 59,200 euros) at an online auction on Thursday. During last week’s exchange of blows, Ardern described her opponent David Seymour as an “arrogant asshole”.
“Faux pas not expected”
She didn’t expect such a turn after the “faux pas with the old microphone in Parliament,” Ardern wrote in online media. The proceeds will go to the New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation.
A microphone had recorded Ardern muttering the insult as she returned to her seat. Seymour then asked the Speaker of Parliament for an apology from the Prime Minister – so her remark had to be recorded. Seymour later came up with the idea of using the episode as an opportunity to work together for a good cause. According to him, Ardern immediately agreed.
Both politicians then signed a copy of the protocol, which was framed before the auction. “The interest was greater than expected,” Seymour told the AFP news agency. He only expected a fraction of the auction price.
