FINGER POINTED AT ROSS:

National may move to suspend MP Jami-Lee Ross after an inquiry into who leaked leader Simon Bridges expenses found he was the most likely culprit.

At a press conference yesterday, Bridges said the caucus would consider the Botany MP’s future today.

One of the party’s most senior MPs and a former rival for the leadership, Judith Collins, yesterday said that she ‘‘fully supported’ Bridges over the matter. ‘‘I wouldn’t have a leaker in my caucus either.’’

Ross’ behaviour was ‘‘desperate’’, Collins added.

The findings of the inquiry were being announced as Ross sent out a series of tweets saying Bridges had pinned internal party leaks on him.

Ross said: ‘‘Later today, Simon Bridges is going to attempt to pin his leak inquiry on me. He cannot find who the actual leak is, so is attempting to use contact with my local police area commander, and a journalist that is a friend (not Tova), as evidence that I am somehow involved.’’

Ross also accused Bridges of an ulterior motive, claiming in his tweets that he had been pushed out after confronting Bridges ‘‘with evidence that I had recorded him discussing with me unlawful activity that he was involved in’’.

‘‘Working on his instruction, he asked me to do things with election donations that broke the law,’’ Ross tweeted. Bridges has denied the claims. The National leader called for the inquiry in August after details of his travel expenses were leaked before their public release.