Ross ‘in mental health unit’
MP Jami-Lee Ross has been taken into mental health care, it is understood.
Stuff has been told by a source close to Ross that the MP was taken to a mental health unit in Auckland late on Saturday evening after police visited him at his Botany electorate office.
It is understood that Ross does not have his phone but Stuff was told he has been in contact with friends to say he was carrying on his fight against the National Party.
A party spokesman said Ross’ mental health concerns had been ‘‘taken seriously’’ over the past several weeks and that medical
professionals had been involved.
‘‘That has included seeking advice from medical professionals and involving police wherever necessary to ensure support is made available to Mr Ross.’’
The spokesman said he would not confirm that Ross had been taken to a mental health unit.
National Party deputy leader Paula Bennett and senior
MP Judith Collins both refused to comment.
The spokesman said
‘‘it would not be appropriate to comment further’’.
Police would not comment. A spokesperson said police could not ‘‘respond to inquiries of that nature regarding specific individuals’’.
The hospital also would not comment.
At the start of this month, Ross took leave from Parliament to deal with personal health issues.
At a press conference at the time, National leader Simon Bridges described Ross’ health issues as ‘‘deeply personal’’ and private, and he said Ross was receiving appropriate support. On Friday, Ross said he would not quit Parliament. He admitted that he had had an affair with another MP, who was also married. Ross had earlier said he would resign and then contest a by-election in his seat of Botany as an independent.
But in an interview, and later on Twitter, he pledged to stay on in Parliament to continue his war against National leader Simon Bridges. Ross said the party had ‘‘changed the rules’’ by lifting the bedsheets on him so much that he wouldn’t be able to fight a byelection in Botany.
Four women had come forward to media to allege that they either been bullied by him or had consensual but threatening sexual relationships with him.
Ross accepted that he had affairs with the women but disputed aspects of the story.
Since the National Party caucus has expelled him, Ross would automatically be recognised as an independent MP by the Speaker.