Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman who has been accused of shoplifting from an Auckland store, has stood down from her parliament roles while the allegations are investigated.
Ranked number seven on party’s list, Ghahraman’s portfolios included justice, foreign affairs, defence, ethnic communities, and trade.
According to reports, the prominent MP and human rights lawyer Ghahraman has been accused of shoplifting during the festive season – just two days before Christmas, from exclusive clothing store Scottie’s Boutique in Ponsonby, Auckland. Established in 1979, Scotties is home to collections from Comme des Garçons, Dries Van Noten, Issey Miyake, Marni, The Row, etc, and is well-known for stocking luxury brands.
According to a report in NewsHub, Ghahraman is also accused of shoplifting from the same store weeks before the December 23 incident.
Police have later confirmed having received a report about an incident at a Ponsonby retailer on 23rd December and that a probe was underway.
It is understood the Green Party is aware of the allegations their MP faces and have confirmed she “will stand aside from all portfolio responsibilities until the matter is resolved”. The Party is also reportedly in contact with Scotties Boutique to “better understand and address the situation”.
Ghahraman has not yet publicly responded to the allegations and is reported to be currently overseas on a ‘personal’ trip.
Political commentator Brigitte Morten told Newstalk ZB this morning if the allegations were true, “You’ve got to respect the law of the land, particularly when you are making the law of the land.”
Ghahraman made New Zealand history as the first refugee to become a MP in 2017, having arrived here as a nine-year old child asylum seeker with her family from Iran.
Prior to being elected to the Parliament, she worked as a human rights and constitutional lawyer(Story updated 12 Jan.)
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