Bridges points finger 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 she ‘‘fully supported’ Bridges over the matter. ‘‘I wouldn’t have a leaker in my caucus either.’’ Ross’ behaviour was ‘‘desperate’’, Collins said.
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 denied the allegations when they were put to him by reporters yesterday. Bridges called for the inquiry in August after details of his travel expenses were leaked ahead of their public release a few days later.
But he has been heavily criticised for doing so after he initially insisted it was an external leak, before fresh details emerged pointing strongly toward an internal party leak.
Yesterday, Bridges said the report from PwC on their investigation pointed to Ross as being the person who sent an anonymous text message to himself, Speaker Trevor Mallard and Newshub about the leak inquiry.
The leak was designed to damage Bridges as it revealed that he had spent $80,000 on VIP limos.
As an inquiry was launched to find the source of the leak a subsequent text pleaded for the Speaker’s inquiry to be called off because of the mental health of the person who had leaked it.
It was concluded at the time that the same person had leaked the expenses and had sent the text. The report released yesterday stated the investigation had not been able to find the leaker of the expense documents ‘‘with certainty’’ but that the evidence ‘‘points to Mr Ross’’. It also concluded that Ross ‘‘may’’ be the text message sender.
Bridges said: ‘‘John Billington QC has independently assessed the investigation report. It is his opinion that on the balance of probabilities the evidence establishes that Jami-Lee Ross was the person who leaked the expenses and the sender of the text message. I accept both the investigation report and the opinion of Mr Billington.’’
Bridges said he visited JamiLee Ross with deputy Paula Bennett earlier yesterday and explained to him the report and gave him an opportunity to respond. ‘‘I was not satisfied with his explanation,’’ said Bridges.
‘‘I also discussed with JamiLee other matters concerning his conduct that have come to my attention and suggest, together with the leak, a pattern.’’
Bridges did not say what those other matters of conduct were and would not confirm questions about bullying. ‘‘I informed JamiLee that tomorrow the investigation report and Mr Billington’s opinion will be presented at a meeting of the National Party caucus along with the other matters.
The caucus will be asked to consider all relevant matters, including his membership of the caucus.’’
The press conference was called as fresh leaks are alleged.
Stuff understands National MPs were briefed by teleconference minutes before the announcement.
After calling for the inquiry into who leaked his expenses, the National leader faced further criticism over his handling of an announcement that Ross was taking extended leave for what Bridges referred to as ‘‘embarrassing’’ personal issues. Bridges later retracted his description of the MP’s issues as ‘‘embarrassing’’ and insisted his leave was unrelated to the leak inquiry.
At his press conference yesterday, Bridges reiterated that he did not know at that time what the report would find.
‘‘This action today is completely separate. I did not know what the investigation report
‘‘I also discussed with Jami-Lee other matters concerning his conduct that have come to my attention and suggest, together with the leak, a pattern.’’ Simon Bridges
would contain when those matters were addressed in recent weeks.’’ He had ensured Ross had the necessary support.
‘‘The step that I have taken today is not made lightly.
‘‘I am balancing the health issues with the considerable public interest in the outcome of the investigation.’’
But the incident, and the leak, has sparked speculation about his leadership though National’s polling is still strong. On the AM Show yesterday, Bridges was forced to deny allegations of fresh leaks against him after host Duncan Garner claimed he was provided internal party polling showing Bridges’ favourability ratings had plummeted.
Garner also said he was leaked details of how Bridges’ filed two election returns in January – the second one missing two donations which the party said were mistakenly put on his return instead of National’s.
Both amounts – $14,000 and $10,000 – were above the threshold which requires them to be made public if donated to an MP, but can be kept secret if made to a party.