Jami-Lee Ross hits back
Independent MP Jami-Lee Ross has denied acting inappropriately with his staff and is alleging a ‘‘trial by media’’, following a report published by Newsroom about his electorate office staff.
Ross told Stuff his office involved ‘‘high pressure and stress at times’’.
Newsroom reported yesterday that the Parliamentary Service was conducting an inquiry into misconduct allegations in Ross’ electorate office. The Newsroom report claimed the complaint involved bullying and had led to three of four staff in his Botany office being placed on leave.
Stuff has sought comment from Ross’ staff and has confirmed that one member of his staff is on leave and will be for ‘‘some time’’.
In a statement to Stuff, Ross denied wrongdoing and said one of the parties in the complaint was seeking a ‘‘trial by media’’.
He said the jobs in his office could result in ‘‘high pressure and stress at times’’ and ‘‘as a result with a small team of assigned staff, not all personalities can or do gel.’’
Ross said he was happy to engage in an employment dispute process but said the fact of the Newsroom story suggested one of the employees was attempting a ‘‘trial by media’’.
‘‘It appears that a party has breached Parliamentary Service’s request for confidentiality and is attempting a trial by media. However, I will respect the request and I am unable to comment further at the moment.’’
Ross went on to allege that his political adversaries – particularly his former colleagues in the National Party – had a hand in the story emerging in the press.
‘‘Reports of these relatively standard workplace inquiries, which provide a chance to repeat past and untested allegations, surely can be seen as being politically motivated by those who want to see me out of a job and away from a place where I can hold them to account, including former colleagues,’’ Ross said.
‘‘Many are concerned with what I know and what I can say, and would prefer to see me stand down or resign so I remain silent.
‘‘This is not a new pressure and at times has been very difficult to manage . . . but I am doing my best to do so.’’
A spokesperson for the National Party said the party had nothing to say about Ross and had no hand in the story.
‘‘We have no comment make about Mr Ross.’’
Ross left the National Party in 2018 in a storm of controversy after leader Simon Bridges alleged Ross had leaked his travel expenses to the media. Ross in turn alleged Bridges had engaged in electoral fraud.
In the ensuing controversy several women alleged Ross had treated them inappropriately – which Ross denied. Ross was to briefly detained under the Mental Health Act.
Since leaving the National Party, Ross has worked as an independent MP for the seat of Botany in Auckland, which he plans to recontest in this year’s election.
His complaints resulted in an investigation into a donation to the National Party by the Serious Fraud Office, which itself has resulted in criminal charges for four people – but not Bridges or other top tier National Party officeholders.
Ross himself has not responded to a request for comment about the matter.