National Leader Christopher Luxon's initial support for new Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell dissolved late Tuesday night after new allegations of bullying and violence emerged from Uffindell's student flatting days.
Luxon had initially supported Uffindell, who he described in mid-afternoon comments as a 'different man' from when he violently assaulted a fellow boarding school student at Kings College in 1999 as a 16 year-old.
But late last night, RNZ's Morning Report producers approached Luxon and Uffindell with allegations from a flatmate in Dunedin in 2003 that Uffindell was a violent, bullying and destructive abuser of drug and alcohol in his university years.
"This evening my office became aware of very concerning accusations made to RNZ about behaviour shown by Mr Uffindell toward a female flatmate in 2003 while at university," Luxon said in a statement issued at 11.21pm.
"Mr Uffindell disputes the allegations and in the interests of natural justice, an independent investigation will now be undertaken to determine the facts. While this process is underway, Mr Uffindell will be stood down from caucus," Luxon said.
“The investigation will be conducted by Maria Dew QC and I expect it to take two weeks. However, as these allegations have only come to me in the last few hours, the finer details of the investigation, including the terms of reference, are yet to be confirmed and will be finalised over the next couple of days.”
Uffindell issued his own statement one minute later.
"When I was a student at Otago I enjoyed a student lifestyle, which included drinking and, at times, smoking marijuana," Uffindell said.
"While in second year a number of flatmates fell out – and two of the flatmates left midway through the year. I reject any accusation that I engaged in behaviour that was intimidatory or bullying. This simply did not happen," he said, adding he would not comment further.
Bullying, violence and hypocrisy claims
The unnamed woman told RNZ Uffindell bullied her during their second year at Otago University and would trash their student flat after alcohol and drug abuse.
"This was intimidation. This was bullying. I didn't feel safe," she said, adding she eventually moved out after having to lock herself in her bedroom to avoid a drunken Uffindell on the rampage one night.
"He was smashing on my door and yelling obscenities and basically telling me to get out - 'hit the road, fatty'," she said.
"I ended up climbing out of my bedroom window and ran to a friend's house to stay the night. I feared for my safety. I was scared."
The woman's father confirmed the details to RNZ, saying: "The flat itself was completely trashed. There wasn't a stick of furniture left. There was no crockery left. There were no handles left on anything. It had all been broken."
The woman said Uffindell had never apologised and his pattern of behaviour revealed his character.
"Listening to his maiden speech in Parliament, he talks about lack of accountability and a sense of impunity - I think that's so hypocritical," she said.
My view
I wrote yesterday there was a chance Luxon would ditch Uffindell before the end of the day. Luxon's initially strong and supportive stance backing Uffindell in comments just before 2pm surprised me, given the risk of more stuff coming out.
Then more stuff came out.
Luxon should have done a John Key and suspended him immediately.
This was Luxon's first error of judgement, although it's clear he should have asked a lot more questions of the selection committee and his board before the candidate's selection. Uffindell may not be the last one to go. Former President Peter Goodfellow's position on the National board for the next year is now even more precarious.
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