Wānaka’s local MP, embroiled in a drama within the National Party which led to a sudden leadership change, has now issued a statement. 

On Wednesday (November 24) Simon Bridges was stripped of his portfolios by party leader Judith Collins, but by yesterday afternoon (Thursday November 25) Judith had been ousted from the leadership position during a three hour long caucus meeting.

Judith said she demoted Simon after she learned of crude comments he made to Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean some four years ago.

Jacqui, who represents constituents in Otago and Southland, made a complaint in early 2017 and received an apology at the time.

“About five years ago, Simon Bridges made remarks that upset me at the time,” Jacqui said in a statement after the caucus meeting. “They were not about me, but they were inappropriate and not something I wanted to hear.”

She said the remark “continued to play on my mind” and with recent reviews in parliament “the feelings have been brought back up”.

Simon accused Judith of demoting him because he was a threat to her leadership and the caucus issued a motion of no confidence in her after the move.

Jacqui said the publicity around the complaint had been “upsetting”.

“What matters to me is that all of us have a clear understanding of what behaviour we should expect in a modern workplace environment,” Jacqui said.

Simon told RNZ he regretted his 2017 comment.

Judith has been replaced by interim leader Shane Reti until a new leader is selected next week.

PHOTO: Supplied