John Key

Wellington, May 5 NZPA - The board of John Langley's company says it does not support his view that Prime Minister John Key should not have left trade negotiations to attend the funerals of three killed airmen.

Mr Key was scheduled to travel with a delegation to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates for trade talks after his trip to Anzac Day services in Turkey and before he went to Afghanistan.

Instead, he choose to return to New Zealand last Tuesday to attend the funerals at Ohakea air base on Thursday for the three men killed when their Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopter crashed on Anzac Day, before flying out to Afghanistan on Friday.

Cognition Education chief executive Dr Langley, who was on the trade mission to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, criticised the decision in an opinion piece in The New Zealand Herald today.

Mr Key's decision was not in New Zealand's long-term interest and he was pandering to "public opinion and our moralistic and judgmental press", Dr Langley said.

"Would he have rushed back if the three killed had been a rescue helicopter team or three people killed in road accidents? I think not."

But Cognition Education Trust's board released a statement saying the sentiment expressed by Dr Langley was his personal view.

Trust chairman Stewart Germann said he accepted Mr Key's decision to return for the funerals and apologised for Dr Langley's criticism.

"John Key was in a no win position for whatever he did he would be criticised by various people."

Mr Germann also travelled with the 90-member trade delegation.

The delegation was disappointed to learn Mr Key would not being travelling to the Gulf states but Trade Minister Tim Groser was there and "admirably headed the delegation".

"The delegation was an outstanding success and has really put New Zealand on the map so far as the GCC countries are concerned."

Mr Key has not yet returned to New Zealand and his office was not commenting on Dr Langley's remarks.