The Deputy Prime Minister is downplaying the controversies surrounding Speaker Trevor Mallard as he gets set to leave Parliament.

Mallard will call time on a 35 year career in August to take up a diplomatic posting in Europe.

Most recently, he sparked controversy by turning the sprinklers on the protesters outside Parliament and trespassing Former Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

Grant Robertson told Heather du Plessis-Allan few people who have been in politics that long would get away without controversy.

“He might’ve had to apologise on occasion, but I think his overall record puts us in a good place for him to be able to represent us.”

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