Ross accuser says party helped her
One of four women allegedly harassed by Jami-Lee Ross has publicly spoken out.
The National candidate for Manurewa in 2017, Katrina Bungard, said she had been pleased with the way the party had dealt with her complaint and praised other women for coming forward with their allegations.
‘‘I can say from experience that it is an extremely brave thing to do,’’ she said.
Her statement comes after news media website Newsroom reported that two women alleged they had toxic sexual relationships with Ross, and two others had felt abused and threatened by the way he interacted with them.
Bungard said she made clear she ‘‘wouldn’t be blackmailed with his threats’’, so the harassment allegedly started.
Ross refused to comment on the Newsroom story other than to say he is considering his legal options. Stuff contacted him on Thursday night about the latest claims from Bungard.
Bungard said it was not an easy time for her and the nature of things made it really difficult to talk about.
She is the deputy chairperson of the Howick Local Board in Auckland, which Ross’ wife, Lucy Schwaner, controversially quit in 2016 after losing the role of chair.
Bungard’s encounter with Ross was in 2016 and 2017, when Ross was trying to get his wife appointed. A source close to the dispute alleged Ross ‘‘hassled’’ Bungard a lot and threatened to make her career in the National Party hard.
It is understood this is where the bad blood between Bungard and Ross began.
The source compared Ross to a character in television show House of Cards.
Bungard made complaints about Ross to senior members of the National Party, who she said handled the situation appropriately at the time, and they did all that they could to help.
She told Stuff she wanted to make it ‘‘very clear’’ she always felt fully supported by the National Party and its leadership.
‘‘They helped me at a really stressful time and I am thankful for their assistance.’’
It is understood that if Ross does hand in his resignation, she will run for his Botany seat in the by-election.
She said she would not be making any further comment on the matter and asked for privacy.