Seven Nationals show loyalty to Joyce

JUST a third of the Nationals party room is willing to publicly back Barnaby Joyce as pressure for him to resign the leadership continues to grow.

Several of the embattled Deputy Prime Minister’s colleagues pointedly declined to endorse Mr Joyce when contacted, with leadership rival Michael McCormack repeatedly refusing to rule out a move on the top job.

Seven MPs openly backed Mr Joyce the day after a devastating Newspoll showed twothirds of voters wanted him to resign as Nationals leader, while a significant number are taking the week to consider his future.

There are at least four other Nationals MP who are considering their position on Mr Joyce’s leadership, adding to about six who are already locked in against him.

Mr Joyce’s grip on the leadership began to slide after explosive revelations of an office affair with his former media adviser Vikki Campion – who is now expecting his child – and a falling out with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over the scandal.

Yesterday Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said Mr Joyce should take a step back and think about what is important.

“The best thing that he can do is take whatever decision is necessary to be able to support the baby for the birth, support his new partner, reach out to his family,” he said.