National leader Simon Bridges says he is unhappy Trevor Mallard called off the inquiry into the expenses leak, as he stood by his comments that the government is distracting the public from the issues that matter.
Mr Bridges said nothing had changed between Trevor Mallard announcing a QC-led investigation last Thursday and then calling off the inquiry a day later.
He told TVNZ 1’s Breakfast the issue with the investigation being called off was that the leaker may not have been a member of the National party.
“What I will do, is I will be able to have an investigation of National MPs and our staffers to see if we can get to the bottom of this, but the issue is it may not be a Nat,” he said.
It follows text messages from someone claiming to be the leaker citing mental health issues. (Source: Other)
“If it isn’t, that’s why a wider inquiry was called for and my frustration is nothing changed.”
“All that changed was the prime minister saying this was an internal matter for the National party on Friday morning and then Trevor Mallard said, ‘okay no inquiry,’” he said.
“I think that’s wrong, if the prime minister or Trevor Mallard knows something I don’t, I would be all ears and I think they should tell me.”
The Speaker called off the investigation after the alleged leaker anonymously contacted him and Mr Bridges by text message, confessing, but saying their mental health was at risk if they were exposed.
Mr Bridges stood by his comments that the saga was caused by a government wanting to distract voters from the real issues.
“I was making a general comment, go back, you find anywhere where I’ve said it, I still believe it, actually, I look at this government, last week wheel clamping, they are distracting from the real things they should be focused on,” he said.
“Winston Peters and his fake news that I’ve been trying to get Ron Mark to join my party , this is a government that has talked crap on a load of things.”
The National leader confirmed that he received an anonymous message last Thursday from a person claiming to have leaked his expenses information. (Source: Other)
“I say to Trevor Mallard and Jacinda Ardern, how can you say this is just for the National Party? You have no basis to say that and if you do let me know so we can deal seriously with the health issues that it seems here.”
“Also, so that we can have a confidence as an opposition in the systems in parliament and the integrity of them.”
SHARE ME