Pressure on ahead of National Party caucus meeting today - Commentator - a podcast by RNZ

from 2021-11-25T07:39

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National's leader Judith Collins has demoted Simon Bridges after an accusation he made offensive comments to a National MP who RNZ understands is Jacqui Dean.
The shock news came in a media release from Collins last night and is after much speculation that Bridges is considering a tilt at the top job.
Bridges is accused of making the remarks at a function several years ago - but Collins says she only just learnt the seriousness of the complaint.
She says she had no option but to immediately demote the Tauranga MP and strip him of his portfolio responsibilities with the unanimous support of the board.
RNZ has approached Jacqui Dean for a response.
Bridges will hold a full media conference later today, but told media as he arrived at Parliament this morning that the move by Collins was "desperate".
RNZ has calls in to multiple National MPs for comment. PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary Ben Thomas spoke to Susie Ferguson.

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