New Zealand First MP Clayton Mitchell has described reports he behaved badly at a bar on Saturday night as 'fake news' and politically motivated.
It's been reported that the second term list MP and a friend were kicked out of a Tauranga bar, after repeatedly being asked to move from an area because they were blocking staff access.
But Mr Mitchell says he was roughly handled by 'buffoon' bouncers who completely over-reacted.
He also denies reports he accidentally hit a female bar staffer on the side of the head with a glass and says he thinks the Young Nats are just trying to stir the story up.
Political reporter Yvette McCullough has more
