A wildcard entry in New Zealand’s flag referendum has been likened to the Nazi Swastika symbol by politicians.
Prime Minister John Key had previously refused to add the new 'Red Peak' design to the contest, which already comprised of four entries.
But the inverted V-shape flag will now been included in the referendum due to take place in November after 52,000 people called for it to be allowed, the BBC reported.
And the news will add to the fury felt by the New Zealand First party, who suggested the design could be misappropriated as a symbol of Adolf Hitler's evil regime.
During an occasionally bizarre debate in parliament on Wednesday, Denis O’Rourke MP demonstrated how the design could be made to resemble the Nazi Swastika if four of the flags were placed together.
NZ First Godwins the flag referendum debate pic.twitter.com/tNljm9ifPQ
— John Hart (@farmgeek) September 23, 2015
The deputy leader of the party, Ron Mark, also compared the design to insignia painted on the side of Nazi sentry boxes.
The BBC reported that he said: "How offensive is that to veterans? It's going from farcical to ridiculous. We don't want a bar of it."
Ron Mark compares Red Peak design to Nazi insignia pic.twitter.com/foUx30Jalo
— Jane Patterson (@janepatterson) September 23, 2015
Social media user, John Hart, suggested that parliament should invoke Godwin’s Law.
Oh for a Speakers ruling that recognisesGodwin's Law: "Red Peak looks like a naz..." [Speaker] "OK that concludes the second reading"
— John Hart (@farmgeek) September 23, 2015
The unofficial Godwin’s Law of Nazi Analogies was developed by Mike Godwin in the 1990s as a counter-meme. The theory behind the so-called law is that "as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one".
Red Peak was designed Aaron Dustin, who said on his website that the "the 'First To The Light' flag was intended to be a 'new' symbol that expressed our NZ identity".
Three of the other flags in the contest feature a fern which is a national icon. The fourth design features a koru, which is frequently seen in Maori art.
New Zealand Flag - The designs that didn't make the cut
