Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Samuel Osborne

New Zealand Economic Minister Steven Joyce hit in face by sex toy

A woman protesting the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) threw a sex toy at a New Zealand politician.

"That's for raping away our sovereignty," the protester, Josie Butler, shouted, after throwing the sex toy at Economic Minister Steven Joyce.

As she was led away from the media conference at Waitangi, she said: "That's for raping our country, because of the TPPA and selling away our rights and our freedom. I did it for our country."

Ms Butler was taken away by police and later released without charge, according to a post on her Facebook page.

Mr Joyce took it on the chin, joking on Twitter:

He told TVNZ: "Fair to say I don’t think those sorts of things happen everyday.

"We actually thought it was a little bit humorous at the end of it all. New experiences in politics everyday, it's the privilege of serving."

The controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has been criticised for the ongoing secrecy of negotiations, which the public have no access to, and for the effects it may have on democracy, jobs and food safety.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.