Dogged pursuit of leaker sparks chain reaction

The inquiry potentially identifying National’s leaker could be wrapped up as early as next week – but rather than be relieved, the party’s leader, Simon Bridges, is probably wishing he had let sleeping dogs lie.

While not yet in the same league as David Shearer’s dead fish, or Don Brash walking the plank, Bridges’ pursuit of National’s travel expenses leaker is shaping up as one of those pivotal moments by which his leadership will be defined. If there were seeds of doubt about Bridges judgment before among his MPs, they must have blossomed into full-grown dismay that Bridges’ decision to order an inquiry keeps blowing up in his face.

Tuesday’s train wreck of a press conference dealing with the abrupt departure of front bench MP Jami-Lee Ross on personal leave must have only deepened their dismay.

Bridges gave an assurance Ross’ departure was unrelated to the leak inquiry and Ross said he was taking time out for personal and private health reasons and to focus on his family.

They both put out press statements to that effect but must have known it would immediately spark speculation about the identity of the leaker. That is presumably why Bridges decided to hold a press conference to further elaborate, when it is usual practice in cases where MPs are dealing with personal issues to issue a statement and make it clear there will be no further comment.

If Bridges’ intention had been to put the speculation to bed he failed spectacularly, his statements veering from a description of Ross’ condition as ‘‘potentially embarrassing’’, ‘‘sensitive’’, to – in case you missed it the first time – ‘‘a lot embarrassing’’, a word that is so loaded with meaning it immediately raised more questions than it answered.

He was also initially unconvincing when asked if he had confronted Ross about the leaker before clarifying that Ross was ‘‘very clear’’ it wasn’t him.

Once again, Bridges has given legs to a story that should have died months ago. The initial story was about an $80,000 VIP transport bill for a nationwide road show – hardly earth-shattering, and details that were due for public release within a few days anyway.

Worse, Bridges’ dogged pursuit of the leaker has caused a chain reaction of events that leave little room for doubt it came from within the National caucus. That in turn has exposed at least three of his MPs – of which Ross was one – to ugly rumours that they were the leaker. In one case, even family members have been dragged into the gossip mill.

Bridges’ stood his ground on calling for an inquiry because he feared not doing so would be read as a lack of confidence in his support in caucus. But there was always a better than even chance it would backfire on him if it was proved that the leak did indeed come from one of his MPs. That now seems certain.

But Bridges has backed himself into a corner over what to do if the report identifies one of his MPs.

Better to have left the door open to the possibility that it was dirty politics by his opponents.

But now it’s been opened, that can of worms can’t be closed.

Even family members have been dragged into the gossip mill.