National MP Sam Uffindell has been welcomed back into the party's caucus following an investigation into allegations against him, leader Christopher Luxon says.
Luxon and party president Sylvia Wood have spoken to media after receiving Maria Dew KC's report on allegations against the party's newest MP.
Uffindell had early last month admitted to having been kicked out of boarding school for severely beating a younger boy, saying he had been a thug and a bully in his youth. It was by far the worst incident he had been involved in and he had matured and developed, he said.
Wood said the final report was received on Thursday night.
"The investigation under the terms of reference took place between 15 August and 15 September ... I want to thank Ms Dew for her professional and impartial work. I also want to thank the complainants and witnesses."
No-one else came forward, Wood said, and she was pleased the report provided the ability to move forward.
The investigation did not substantiate allegations of bullying outside of his time at King's College, Wood said.
"Sam has said publicly he was a bully at King's College and this behaviour harmed a number of people for which he has apologised. Fourteen people were interviewed by Ms Dew as part of the investigation and a number of written statements were provided.
"Regarding the alleged Otago University flat incident, there are differing accounts of what occurred and Ms Dew concluded the event was not as it was described in the media. Despite this conclusion, it is clear that the complainant's experience in a deteriorating flat relationship caused her harm."
Christopher Luxon, and in the background, Sylvia Wood. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Luxon said the investigation concluded that Uffindell did not engage in the alleged serious behaviour towards his flatmate - "on that basis, the National Party caucus met this morning and Sam has been fully reinstated".
"Since becoming our leader I have made my expectations clear about the behaviour and conduct that I expect of all our MPs and members; I also believe in forgiveness and second chances. If someone can demonstrate a genuine understanding of their behaviour and the way it has negatively impacted others, and can show they have become a better person, they deserve a second chance. I am pleased to welcome Sam back."
Luxon said he believed in forgiveness and second chances, and was pleased to welcome Uffindell back into the National Party caucus.
He did not believe the party had a bully in it and had full confidence in Uffindell.
He also said the party could still stand up as a party on law and order policy, and trying to suggest otherwise conflates two different issues. He said it was not fair to compare the experience of Uffindell with the experience of Māori who fell foul of the law.
It was further accusations against Uffindell which prompted Luxon to suspend Uffindell from the caucus.
A woman who flatted with him said he had been an aggressive bully who once pounded on her bedroom door, screaming obscenities, until she fled through her window, quitting the house for good.
Uffindell said he was "genuinely shocked" to hear the allegations of his former flatmate at the University of Otago and welcomed the findings.
Sam Uffindell Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Uffindell denied the claims, saying there had been a falling-out between the flatmates.
"Ms Dew found that this incident did not occur as it was reported in the media...
"I am not able to go into details, but I do want to acknowledge that there was genuine breakdown in flat relationships and things were said that I now realise my flatmate overheard - I apologise and regret my part in that.
Uffindell said he had not spoken to the woman who made the allegations since the flat broke up, and he did not plan to contact her. He did not believe she would want him to.
He would not comment on whether the flatmate who made the accusations was telling the truth, saying there were two sides to every story.
He said he owned what he did and deeply regretted his actions at King's College, and hoped that brought some resolution to the people he hurt.
"Yes, the past six weeks have been very challenging, not just for myself but for my family as well, and I'm sure they've been challenging for the complainants."
Luxon called in Maria Dew KC to independently investigate the matter and hoped people would see the party took such allegations "incredibly seriously".
There were two clear objectives: Clarity over what happened while Uffindell was at University and providing a safe and inclusive atmosphere where anyone else could come forward.
He had set a two-week timeframe for the investigation but it took some weeks to get started and was not delivered to the party leader until late last week. The process had taken longer than he would have liked but that was because the investigation had been robust, he said.
He was probably "a bit ambitious" with his timings and expectations about the investigation, he said.
Uffindell said he would "continue to work hard and deliver for the people of Tauranga".
He would hard to gain reselection and take that momentum into the election next year.
"I'm dedicated to the people of Tauranga and I am going to work incredibly hard to secure their continued loyalty."
Wood said the preselection processes were confidential and the party had looked at the processes and disclosures.
"The party has acknowledged that we should have disclosed this to the people of Tauranga."
