Franks A 'hypocrite' On Posters

National Party candidate Stephen Franks, who has been hunting down billboard vandals in the name of free speech, has been labelled a hypocrite after his campaign team ripped down opponents' political posters.

But Mr Franks, a lawyer and Wellington Central candidate, said the posters were part of "a despicable smear campaign" - and were on illegal sites that breached bylaws.

The group "Both Eyes Open", which has been distributing anti-National material, said it caught Mr Franks' campaign team on camera removing its posters.

Some of the movie posters targeted Mr Franks and read, "Don't vote for prejudice", referring to the former ACT MP's promotion of a change to human rights legislation in 2005.

Both Eyes Open spokesman Fergus Wheeler said Mr Franks had fought against billboard vandalism in his electorate, describing people defacing his election hoardings as "political thugs who don't like free speech or opinions different from their own".

"It seems a little hypocritical of Mr Franks to ... then let his team destroy other people's ones."

But Mr Franks said removing the posters was acting within the law because they were on illegal sites.

One of the people caught removing posters was unknown to him.

"I've had calls from people I do not know ... telling me they've removed them."

November 05, 2008