Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi has been named and suspended from New Zealand parliament for "grossly disorderly" comments made last week.
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Mr Waititi was sanctioned for referring to a person - linked to a rival party - who has been granted a court-ordered name suppression during a parliamentary debate.
The comments cannot be repeated or explained fully because of the court suppression.
Speaker Adrian Rurawhe said it was "of the utmost constitutional importance" that parliament enjoyed a strong relationship with the courts.
"Reckless use of the freedom of speech enjoyed by the House damages that relationship and undermines the standing of this parliament and the privileges on which it depends," he said.
"I consider that in his comments Mr Waititi's conduct was grossly disorderly.
"Therefore, I name Rawiri Waititi and call on the House to judge his conduct."
Inviting MPs to vote on whether Mr Waititi be suspended from parliament, the only voices against the proposal were from Maori Party MPs.
Mr Waititi was absent from parliament on Monday.
Local media have reported his suspension will last for 24 hours.
Radio NZ reports being named and suspended is one of parliament's harshest punishments for MPs, blocking the MP from voting or attending parliament, and docking their pay.
Two other MPs have been named and suspended in the past 20 years.
The last MP was National's Nick Smith, who in 2019 called speaker Trevor Mallard "soft on drugs, like the government", according to the NZ Herald.
Former deputy prime minister Winston Peters also suffered the same punishment in 2004 for repeatedly defying the Speaker.
Australian Associated Press
