The outspoken 81-year-old, and avid Daily Liberal letter writer, is the first to tell ministers and party members when they have done the wrong thing but he’s standing firm alongside his friend, embattled politician John Della Bosca who was stood down by NSW premier Morris Iemma yesterday.

The NSW education minister and his wife, Federal MP Belinda Neal, are in hot water over an altercation at Iguana Joe’s nightclub at Gosford.

The power couple is alleged to have abused and threatened staff.

Nightclub management issued a formal apology when the incident became front page news in Sydney, but Mr Della Bosca yesterday admitted he wrote the apology.

Mr Iemma had previously used the apology to justify not sacking or standing down his education minister.

Yesterday, the Premier said Mr Della Bosca should have disclosed the terms under which the apology was issued.

“I have today stood aside minister Della Bosca from his ministerial duties until police have provided their advice,” Mr Iemma said in a statement.

“Earlier this week I accepted the statement of the minister and the apology he received from the establishment.

“Mr Della Bosca should have disclosed to me at that time the exact nature of his involvement in negotiating the terms of the apology.”

Mr Perkins isn’t quite sure what happened at the nightclub but believes his friend ‘Della’ was unlikely to have been at fault.

“We’ve known each other since 1993 and get together for a drink and a meal at Dubbo RSL Club about four times a year,” he said.

“I’ve never seen Della inebriated or in bad temper. He’s always a gentleman and never likes to draw attention to himself.

“I can’t say the same about Della’s good lady. I’ve met Belinda Neal a few times but don’t know her well. She has a history of almost unmanageable temper but is not alone in that respect.

“Many people have the same problem - it’s a disease as much as a matter of ego or lack of control of emotion.’’