ℕ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝 ℙ𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕪 𝕄ℙ𝕤 𝕦𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕝𝕪 𝕞𝕖𝕖𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘 ℍ𝕖𝕣𝕣 ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕤' 𝕓𝕠𝕞𝕓𝕤𝕙𝕖𝕝𝕝 𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕔𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥

𝕊𝕚𝕞𝕠𝕟 𝔹𝕣𝕚𝕕𝕘𝕖𝕤 𝕙𝕒𝕤 𝕒𝕔𝕔𝕦𝕤𝕖𝕕 𝕁𝕦𝕕𝕚𝕥𝕙 ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕣𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℕ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝 ℙ𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕪 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 𝕒𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪 𝕔𝕠𝕤𝕥, 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕔𝕣𝕚𝕓𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕕𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕠𝕗 𝕙𝕚𝕞 𝕠𝕟 𝕎𝕖𝕕𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕕𝕒𝕪 𝕒𝕤 "𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕝𝕪 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕦𝕗𝕗".

L

eader Judith Collins says it follows an "allegation of serious misconduct" relating to his interaction with a caucus colleague.

Newshub understands the MP involved is Jacqui Dean.

This is so good, credit to the dude who made this...Nationals many leaders.. pic.twitter.com/mPvTyW0xvb

— LouieThePfizeredRed (@LouieTheRed1) November 26, 2021

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"The case relates to comments made by Mr Bridges to a female caucus colleague at a function a number of years ago," Collins said in a statement on Wednesday night.

"Having been made aware of the seriousness of the complaint for the first time and the ongoing distress this has caused the complainant, I was left with no option but to immediately demote Simon Bridges and relieve him of his portfolio responsibilities."

Collins adds the decision was not made lightly and was done with the unanimous support of the board of the National Party.

"The seriousness of the situation demands a swift and decisive response," she says.

"Under my leadership, the National Party will not tolerate harassment and intimidation of any person.

"Members of Parliament and staff should be able to conduct their duties at all times without feeling unsafe or intimidated, and all deserve to be treated with absolute respect by their colleagues in all situations."

Collins will hold a press conference on Thursday with deputy leader Dr Shane Reti and Dean.

After gaslighting LabourG for being a complete shambles for the last twenty two months National the natural home and party of scandals and crisis is in leadership coup crisis mode for the fifth time pic.twitter.com/Onp0r7ZOjE

— Elephant in the room (@LetsGetPfizered) November 24, 2021

Her actions come just days after Bridges repeatedly refused to rule out another National leadership bid - instead only telling Newshub it's "not my intention" to make a tilt.

"I've made clear what I think," Bridges said, when asked if there is any chance of a coup this year. 

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His answers followed weeks of speculation Collins' leadership has been under threat from Bridges due to her poor polling.

According to the NZ Herald, Bridges was asked twice whether Collins would still be leader by the time 2022 rolled around. He is reported as refusing to give a definitive answer.

"Judith Collins is the leader of the National Party and I support her as leader," he said.

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