Iran Embassy says handshake request, of Labour MP, out of respect
(WorldNews New Zealand)

The Iranian Embassy has spoken out about an incident where a Labour MP was reportedly told not to shake the hands of visiting male Iranian counterparts. The embassy has hit back, saying the cultural practice was out of respect for women. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Iranian Embassy said no direction was given, however a request was made and they thanked Labour MP Jo Luxton for honouring it. Get the who, what, why of NZ politics in our newsletter The statement comes in response to media reports that Luxton was prevented from shaking the hands a male agricultural...