National MP will speak at Massey University despite Brash ban

© RNZ / Richard Tindiller No caption National MP Chris Bishop has confirmed he will still speak at Massey University next week, after criticising a decision to block Don Brash from speaking there.

Mr Bishop wrote to the university's vice-chancellor Jan Thomas to request she reverse her decision, which he described as "appalling".

He said he had yet to get a response to his letter, but had decided to go ahead with his speaking engagement.

"I'm going to go, I think that cancelling the speech in protest at a cancelled speech would be a bit of a strange reaction. So I'm going to go and give a speech defending the principles of free speech."

The leader of the National Party, Simon Bridges, was scheduled to speak at Massey University's - Manawatū Campus this afternoon.