A New Zealand Labour MP has stopped short of a public apology after a sensational radio debate where she accused the police minister of being "paid to kill people" in a pre-politics role.
Ginny Andersen, the former police minister, admitted crossing a line in her weekly Newstalk ZB slot with Mark Mitchell on Wednesday.
Mr Mitchell is a former policeman who became a mercenary, working in Iraq during the US-led invasion in 2003, protecting diplomats and officials, and then training police.
He founded private security company Threat Management Group, working in Pakistan, Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq to protect infrastructure, and on hostage negotiations.
Mr Mitchell is reserved about his experiences and has declined to say whether he killed anyone.
In Wednesday's discussion on Mike Hosking's top-rating breakfast show, Ms Andersen seized on Mr Mitchell's experience in a conversation about politicians'e work histories.
"It's the bit overseas that's a bit weird ... Wikipedia it and you'll find out what he did in Mogadishu," she said, with Mr Mitchell laughing.
"If you want to know what I was doing in Mogadishu," Mr Mitchell responded, "we were there because the UN asked us to get aid that was stuck on the ports under the control of criminal gangs, off the ports to people who needed it most".
Ms Andersen then said "it was more the fact that you were paid to kill people".
"He made a really good company which he sold, where he was paid pretty much to kill people to secure supply lines," she said.
She then asked Mr Mitchell, "Did you keep a tally on how many you shot?" with Mr Mitchell responding "That's a terrible thing to say".
Ms Andersen also took issue with Mr Mitchell building a corporatised warfare business, saying "It's just the (profits) from shooting people that I've got a problem with".
Mr Mitchell responded incredulously.
"They provided services in a high threat environment. It's insane. I don't know what your mentality is. You hate the private sector. You hate businesses," he said.
"That's outrageous that you even make those comments.
"I think you should go away and reflect on what you've said and come back and apologise."
Ms Andersen stood her ground, telling Mr Mitchell to "Go away and reflect on what you did overseas".
Ms Andersen was unavailable for interview, with regular business in New Zealand's parliament suspended due to the shock death of Greens MP Efeso Collins on Wednesday.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Ms Andersen "went too far" but did not reprimand her, saying they both shared "the risks of a more privatised approach to military conflict".
"But I don't think she should personalise it," he said.
Ms Andersen issued a statement, saying she enjoyed debates and "frequent robust conversations" on Mr Hosking's show.
"My comments this morning crossed a line, and I have spoken to Mark this morning to let him know that," he said.
Mr Mitchell didn't want to be drawn on the matter due to Mr Collins' death, but said Ms Andersen had offered a private apology.
"She's sent me a text message with an apology in it, I don't feel that that's the right way to apologise about something like that," he said.
"The court of public opinion has probably spoken pretty loudly."
