November 25, 2021
Bridges denied trash talk says sacker Collins
National Party leader Judith Collins says Simon Bridges refused to discuss an allegation of abuse made by a fellow MP.
Ms Collins yesterday demoted the Tauranga MP and stripped him of all his portfolios.
The allegation is believed to be related to a comment made by Mr Bridges to Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean during a party function in 2017, which Ms Collins says she only became aware of last week.
“Even though matters were raised a couple of years back and supposedly dealt with, dealt with doesn’t mean adequately when the victim is feeling it every single day and feels utterly as though her confidence has been knocked,” Ms Collins says.
Judith Collins says she sent deputy leader Shane Reti to discuss the matter with Mr Bridges and he denied everything, and her own efforts to contact him yesterday were rejected.
Ms Collins is holding a media conference at 10am.