Uffindell’s political future hangs in the balance

WELLINGTON: Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell’s political future with the National Party is in serious doubt as the leader refuses to confirm Mr Uffindell will stay on if recent allegations about his behaviour at university are substantiated.

It comes amid a revelation Christopher Luxon’s office knew of Mr Uffindell’s 1999 King’s College bullying incident, but did not inform the party leader in a ‘‘regrettable’’ but ‘‘genuine’’ mistake.

Mr Uffindell could not be contacted at his Paengaroa home yesterday.

It was understood he was travelling back from Wellington to Tauranga, driven by fellow MP Todd Muller who had been a mentor to the young politician.

Late on Tuesday, Mr Luxon announced an investigation into allegations made by a female flatmate of Mr Uffindell’s when the pair studied at the University of Otago in the early 2000s.

Mr Uffindell has been stood down from the party caucus while the twoweek investigation, conducted by Maria Dew QC, takes place.

Mr Luxon, who said dealing with the King’s College incident was ‘‘immensely frustrating’’, would not confirm Mr Uffindell’s position in his caucus if the allegations were accurate.

‘‘All I’m saying to you is [they are] very serious allegations.

‘‘I want to have a dispassionate, independent investigation.

‘‘I’ll take those findings and I’ll make a decision.’’

On Tuesday, Mr Luxon said he was disappointed he had not been informed of Mr Uffindell’s high school bullying when it was disclosed to National’s ninemember preselection committee ahead of choosing a candidate for this year’s Tauranga byelection.

He said committee member and Mr Uffindell’s campaign chairman Todd McClay had in fact told Mr Luxon’s staff of the incident after Mr Uffindell’s selection but it was not passed on.

‘‘That is regrettable and it’s a mistake,’’ Mr Luxon said.

Both Mr Luxon and new National Party president Sylvia Wood acknowledged questions needed to be asked of the process as a result.