National Party Leader Simon Bridges has come under fire, as he’s pinpointed Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross as the leaker of his travel expenses.
Bridges on Monday afternoon announced a PwC investigation, commissioned by the National Party, indicated Ross leaked his expenses to the media three days before they were due to be released in August.
PwC clarified that while the evidence "points" to Ross as the leaker, there isn't "certainty" around this.
Nonetheless, Bridges said the leak, as well as “other matters” concerning Ross’ conduct, suggested a “pattern”.
He said Ross' future would be determined by the National Party's caucus, but suspension was an option.
Minutes before the announcement was made, Ross took to Twitter to claim he was being framed.
He said he’d fallen out with Bridges some months ago, as he’d questioned his leadership.
“When I started to become expendable, I confronted him with evidence that I had recorded him discussing with me unlawful activity that he was involved in,” Ross tweeted.
“Working on his instruction, he asked me to do things with election donations that broke the law.
“This evidence led Simon to push me out on medical leave a few weeks ago. It was essentially an attempt to stop me from speaking publicly.”
Bridges announced on October 2 that Ross was going on leave for a few months, as he was dealing with health issues he dubbed personal, private, sensitive and “embarrassing”.
He clarified the situation was separate to the leak investigation.
Then on Monday morning, AM Show host Duncan Garner revealed a National Party insider had told him Bridges’ election returns were handed in late after amendments were made. One donation of $10,000, and another of $14,000 were initially recorded on Bridges' own return, but removed and placed on the National Party's return instead.
Bridges confirmed on the show that the leak was true.
The $10,000 donation reportedly came from 'Cathedral Club', which appears to host networking dinners attended by the likes of pollster David Farrar and far-right blogger Cameron Slater.
The larger donation came from Cubro Ltd, which Mr Bridges said was a healthcare business in Tauranga.
Newshub reported the owners are Exclusive Brethrens. The religious group controversially spent more than $1 million trying to get National elected in 2005.
Asked on Monday morning (before the Ross announcement) to comment on the donations matter, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said: "To use Napoleon's famous phrase, 'Never interfere with an enemy who's in the process of destroying himself'."
Here is a statement from Bridges:
Earlier today I received the independent report from PwC on their investigation into the recent leak of the National Party’s travel expenses.
The report states that the evidence identified points to Jami Lee Ross as being the person who sent the anonymous text message.
I am releasing the report today.
John Billington QC has independently assessed the investigation report. It is his opinion that on the balance of probabilities the evidence establishes that Jami-Lee Ross was the person who leaked the expenses and the sender of the text message.
I accept both the investigation report and the opinion of Mr Billington.
Earlier today I visited Jami-Lee Ross with Paula Bennett and explained to him the report and the opinion of Mr Billington and gave him an opportunity to respond. I was not satisfied with his explanation.
I also discussed with Jami-Lee other matters concerning his conduct that have come to my attention and suggest, together with the leak, a pattern.
I informed Jami-Lee that tomorrow the investigation report and Mr Billington’s opinion will be presented at a meeting of the National Party Caucus along with the other matters.
The Caucus will be asked to consider all relevant matters, including his membership of the Caucus.
Finally, you will recall Jami-Lee recently took leave from Parliament given personal health issues.
This action today is completely separate. I did not know what the investigation report would contain when those matters were addressed in recent weeks.
Today I have taken steps to ensure that Jami-Lee has the necessary support around him at this time.
The step that I have taken today is not made lightly. I am balancing the health issues with the considerable public interest in the outcome of the investigation.
Here are copies of Ross' tweets:
Later today Simon Bridges is going to attempt to pin his leak inquiry on me. He can not find who the actual leak is, so is attempting to use contact with my local Police area commander, and a journalist that is a friend (not Tova), as evidence that I am somehow involved.
— Jami-Lee Ross (@jamileeross) October 14, 2018
I have said they are unrelated - he does not wish to believe that.
— Jami-Lee Ross (@jamileeross) October 14, 2018
Some months ago I fell out with Simon. I have internally been questioning leadership decisions he was making, and his personal poll ratings which show he is becoming more and more unlikable in the public’s eyes.
When I started to become expendable, I confronted him with evidence that I had recorded him discussing with me unlawful activity that he was involved in. Working on his instruction, he asked me to do things with election donations that broke the law.
— Jami-Lee Ross (@jamileeross) October 14, 2018
This evidence led Simon to push me out on medical leave a few weeks ago. It was essentially an attempt to stop me from speaking publicly.
— Jami-Lee Ross (@jamileeross) October 14, 2018
I now have a duty to speak publicly on these matters. I will do so in coming days.
85 Comments
Totally agree, Bridges needs to learn from Ardern how to handle things.
Ardern just addresses the issue and declares it done, and leaves it alone and then the media follows, no matter if your senior MP is assaulting staff or doing dodgy Curran deals.Or if Peters is caught double dipping on Super for 6-7 years, obviously the Nats fault, so sue them with taxpayer money; problem solved.
Bridges picks away at things and then it all backfires and blows up bigtime.
There seems to be a diifferent , more severe punishment for political crimes than common law issues.
I say we vote this guy in as opposition leader!
I think they'd get on like two peas in a pod!
https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=two+peas+in+a+pod&source=lnms&tbm=isc…:
What do people think the "election donations that broke the law" thing is about?
Also wondering who the actual leaker is, my money is still on Paula Bennett?
Further, it's completely despicable crying wolf about "mental health" issues to use as a shield from repercussions. Looks like it may have been Bridges that suggested that avenue. It means people won't believe those with legitimate mental health issues. Truly awful.
National's a sinking ship. They need a new crew.
If you KNOW something like 'who is the leakers!' you don't come out in public and say who it is! You use the info wisely; behind the scenes, and retain an air of dignity in public. This 'outing' does nothing but harm for Bridges and his Party. Perhaps that's why Ardern is keeping quiet?
You know this from the herald:
‘The report showed Ross had been in contact with a Radio NZ reporter, Parliament's Speaker Trevor Mallard and a police officer in his electorate - all on dates that matched with how the leak and its aftermath unfolded.’
Suggests they were only able to isolate JLR by his contact with the police who were called to ascertain whether he was safe.
They are both pretty soft really and don’t exactly engender a lot of confidence when they talk.
People I speak to all say that Bridges is not a great leader and it is hard to see him in charge in 2 years time!
By saying that whoever leads National in 2 years will be leading the country as the coalition continues to implode.
Word has it that Ardern is seriously struggling and will not be in charge either this time next year.
Watch this space and you have heard it from The Man!
Okay The Boy who will lead National to victory in 2020? What party will help National get over the line? Labour will now do three terms instead of two. National left a mess especially in housing. Labour are getting immigration numbers and house prices down and rents in Auckland and poor old Christchurch. As your mate Trump says they are doing a wonderful job.
Okay Grandad, I am not too sure who will lead National at this stage.
Won’t need to be too much to beat the Coalition because they will have done so much damage to the average family quality of life.
This petrol dibacle is going to really affect people and the KiwiBuild BS is farcical.
This COL are going to be the most despised government of all time.
People that voted for them are now regretting that they did.
Maybe not you Gordon but then you are very old and so probably doesn’t affect you too much!
Lol, while I'm not that enamored of the current coalition, particularly with their effectiveness, if you think they're the ones imploding at the moment you need to get out more often. National have a couple of years to find someone to represent them and turn things around, otherwise they will be staying right where they are.
Election day I didn't think it made much difference but as time goes by I am so relieved National lost. Too many issues where they wilfully buried their head in the sand. I can still clearly remember when John Howard first became leader in Oz - I was certain that his image (appearance, voice) made him unelectable in Australia but I was wrong. Bridges can take heart - if the COL makes too many mistakes National will get in whoever is their leader.
As usual you avoid answering the questions. You admit Bridges is dog tucker. Who will lead them into power? What other party will help them get enough seats? Maybe the Greens. For the record I am 63, have been retired for just over 5 years and have no grandchildren yet. I voted National in 2017 as I detest Winston about as much as I detest Trump. The Boy would have voted for Trump if he could have as like Trump he has no empathy for the unfortunate in society.
Simon should have just dropped this whole thing from the start. It would have been in the news a few days then forgotten, but no he he like a dog with a bone and will not let it go. Really doesn't hold him in a good light as a possible future PM. Really with all the talent we have in this country is the current crop of politician the best we can do ? Seriously does no one with true leadership in this country want the job ? Unless there is change I cannot be bothered voting at the next election.
Now the question arises: Will Simon Bridges maintain his moral stand that the Waka Jumping Bill is reprehensible, he'd repeal it, and is pretty sure he'd never use it himself?
"In the instance where someone felt incredibly strongly about a particular issue in Parliament, were it a moral issue or a particular issue for an electorate, there is no question I would not use it."
JLR seems to feel pretty strongly.
No connection - The current account is the difference between a nations investments and savings - any difference having to be financed either by printing money, borrowing offshore or selling assets offshore.
Effectively our trading accounts with the rest of the world.
National Party leader Simon Bridges says Winston Peters should focus on governing rather than pursuing his "personal vendettas" by suing senior bureaucrats and National MPs in the courts.
"I think he should focus on government and New Zealand, not his own personal vendetta."
Simon Bridges on Winston Peter's Superannuation Leak - June 2018.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12069101
national who opposed the waka jumping bill will now use it to replace him.
before he could have quit the party and gone independent , even started his own party and sat in parliament for the rest of the term.
they will look like a right bunch of hypocrites if they use it now to remove him
When I started to become expendable, I confronted him with evidence that I had recorded him discussing with me unlawful activity that he was involved in. Working on his instruction, he asked me to do things with election donations that broke the law.
If this can be proven both should be out on their ass. Bridges for corruption/fraud, and JLR for not immediately coming forward with the evidence. aka conspiracy/aiding and abetting.
Any chance we ever get an honest trustworthy politician in parliament again?
Now imagine what the repercussions would be in the private sector if someone got busted obtaining their bosses expense data and having that leaked to the public?
Our parliament is filled with complete imbeciles. These people are meant to be leading our country, we’ve either got a government who does nothing or a government that does everything half baked. Then you have all these little scandals popping up where our elected officials can’t even think before they act, no consequences it’s just a few days on the front page and then old news.
Good comment Nzdan
New Zealand has too many politicians. UK has 650 seats representing 65 million (give or take 10 million people that they might not know about). but officially 1 per 100,000 of the population. And they are mostly rubbish too
NZ has 120 for 5 million people or 1 for every 41,666 people. Halve the number and pay half as much to attract talent and people like Roger Witherspoon, CJ009, Custard, JC etc would possibly consider it a worthwhile exercise. At the moment the squabbling over an expenses leak is just ridiculous when there are far bigger issues on the horizon. But age old saying applies at present, 'If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys!'
do people think that bridges has what it takes to be prime minister? i can't actually see him as a nation's leader. call it charisma, the x factor, or the ability to project competence, trust or strength or whatever, but i don't see him as a natural fit for that role. clarke had it, key had it, english even had it in a beige sort of way, and adern seems to have it, but bridges?
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