11 Mar 2016

Police contact Parliamentary Services over MP

9:24 pm on 11 March 2016

Police have contacted Parliamentary Services in relation to the Clutha Southland MP Todd Barclay.

National Party MP Todd Barclay

National Party MP Todd Barclay Photo: NATIONAL PARTY

Two electorate staff members and the electorate chairman have resigned since Mr Barclay took over as the local MP in 2014 from Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, who held the electorate seat for 22 years.

Mr Barclay has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the treatment of his staff and said that it was an employment matter.

Parliamentary Services has confirmed the police have been in contact but say it would be inappropriate to make any further comment.

Prime Minister John Key, left, and Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay

Prime Minister John Key, left, and Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay Photo: National Party

Mr Barclay's colleagues and Prime Minister John Key have said they support the young MP, who at 25, is Parliament's youngest member.

Mr Barclay told RNZ News earlier this week that it had been a steep learning curve.

"I'll be the first to admit I've made some mistakes and I'll make mistakes again, you know it's been a huge learning curve and a lot of change in a short space of time."

He declined to comment on media speculation about an alleged secret recording involving a staff member.

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