25 Nov 2021

Chris Bishop expecting caucus to meet after Simon Bridges' sudden demotion

From Morning Report, 6:13 am on 25 November 2021

National Party MP Chris Bishop expects his party's caucus will meet today after the shock demotion of former leader Simon Bridges.

Bridges has been dumped from the shadow cabinet and demoted to the backbenches.

The shock news came in a media release from National Party leader Judith Collins just after 9.30pm on Wednesday amid much speculation that Bridges was considering a tilt at the top job.

Bridges is accused of making crude remarks of to a "female caucus colleague" in front of other National MPs at a party function five years ago.

RNZ understands the MP who laid the complaint is Jacqui Dean.

RNZ has been told that Bridges apologised to Dean following the incident.

The Waitaki MP has been approached for comment.

Collins says she had no option but to immediately demote the Tauranga MP and strip him of his portfolio responsibilites with the unanimous support of the board and the party would not tolerate harassment and intimidation of any person.

Bishop told Morning Report he found out about the demotion and allegations when the press release went out on Wednesday.

"I don't know anything about it. My knowledge of it is literally the same as yours. The press release has gone out, an allegation has been made around something that Simon said, apparently a few years ago. That's literally all I know."

Bishop said MPs would be at Parliament on Thursday and it would be a good time to meet.

"It's realistically unlikely that we're all going to want to turn up to Parliament, for a sitting day on a Thursday, with most of us there without this being discussed. I mean, clearly, it's a serious issue that needs to be discussed."

Collins is expected to speak to media about the demotion at 10am on Thursday.