Explosive allegations could have farreaching repercussions for National

THERE is only one word to describe the effect of the press conference held by JamiLee Ross to explain his ‘‘falling out’’ with National leader Simon Bridges: Boom.

Mr Ross stood for nearly an hour and outlined what amounted to very serious allegations indeed about Mr Bridges.

The words ‘‘corrupt’’ were used, and a lack of moral compass.

In the process he set quite the bonfire under both Mr Bridges’ leadership — and National’s chances in 2020.

The most serious allegation related to a $100,000 donation Mr Ross claimed a Chinese businessman offered to National in May. Mr Ross alleged Mr Bridges instructed it to be broken up into smaller donations below the limit of disclosure and listed in separate names.

Mr Ross claimed a recording of a discussion he had with Mr Bridges would be provided to police when he lodged a complaint today.

If Mr Bridges is to have even the slightest chance of survival, he must now discredit Mr Ross immediately in relation to that allegation.

Mr Ross also ripped open the scab of Mr Bridges’ low personal ratings in National’s internal polling. And he claimed Mr Bridges and deputy leader Paula Bennett had told him of four women complaining about harassment by him — and suggesting he go on leave.

The sole consolation for Mr Bridges was that Mr Ross stood alone as he set this out. Politicians on the outer usually have at least one colleague in support, even if not endorsement.

But Mr Ross’ colleagues were all up in National’s caucus room, deciding on Mr Ross’ future in the caucus and the party.

Mr Ross saved them the trouble of deciding that fate by announcing he was quitting the party and would resign from Parliament to force a byelection in the Botany electorate. He would stand in that as an independent.

In the process, Mr Ross slapped a whole load of other troubles on Mr Bridges’ desk and those of his former National Party colleagues, many of whom had expressed anger at his ‘‘disloyalty’’ when they went into the caucus.

Those MPs inside caucus were told Mr Ross was resigning, but knew nothing else of what Mr Ross was saying until that caucus meeting ended just as Mr Ross’ press conference also ended.

Mr Ross’ revenge was something quite astonishing and could well prove fatal for Mr Bridges, whether or not the allegations come to anything.

Unless it can be immediately discredited as the rantings of a man hellbent on vengeance, it will at the least leave months and months of legal toing and froing.