The new leader of the Act party says he regrets saying he believes incestous relationships between consenting adults should not be illegal.
Jamie Whyte. Photo: RNZ
In an interview with the blog The Ruminator, Jamie Whyte says he does not think the state should intervene if adult siblings want to marry each other, adding that it's not a matter of significance because it just doesn't happen.
On Thursday morning Dr Whyte backtracked on the comments, saying he was drawn in and distracted by the question and he shouldn't have indulged it.
He says his comments do not reflect his party or its policies and he regrets them.
He says he is personally very opposed to incest.
