ACT wants the Prime Minister to "pull Stuart Nash into line" after he called MP Nicole McKee a "nutter" on Newstalk ZB this morning.

The former gun lobbyist has hit the headlines after she began knitting in Parliament yesterday afternoon.

National MP Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking he admires McKee, saying "I really like her, she's made some great contributions to the House already as a new MP."

However, Nash interrupted and made it clear he disagrees, saying "I think she's a  nutter."

When asked if he'd apologised, he doubled down - saying she's a nice person, but her views aren't.

"I know Nicole's views on a number of things, including guns, and I think her views are extremist. I wouldn't say their dangerous because no one takes any notice of them."

Nicole McKee. Photo / Supplied

In a statement to NZME, ACT deputy leader and health spokesperson Brooke van Velden, says it's not the standard the public expects of Cabinet Ministers.

She says politicians need to show leadership.

Van Velden thinks it provides an insight into Labour's approach to mental health - saying their campaigning on it has just been spin.

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