Act's nightmare continues

Heather Roy. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Act's dirty laundry was hung out to dry in public today after attempts yesterday to keep their party implosion under wraps failed spectacularly.

In Parliament today leader Rodney Hide rebutted claims that he had made defamatory statements about ousted deputy leader Heather Roy to Defence Minister Wayne Mapp, including about drug use.

Labour MPs took the opportunity to taunt Mr Hide with allegations made by Mrs Roy that he approached Dr Mapp on more than one occasion to tell him things "including a rumour about drug use and other defamatory statements".

Mr Hide: "I can emphatically say that I have never approached any minister with concerns about drug use by Heather Roy, as alleged by the member opposite."

Mrs Roy was voted out of her deputy leadership role this week and replaced by John Boscawen. She also resigned from her associate defence and education ministerial posts and as consumer affairs minister.

Her notes, leaked to the media yesterday, showed her anguish as her relationship with Mr Hide deteriorated.

"He routinely tries to bully and intimidate me...there was an instance recently where he was extremely angry at my staff, characterised by shouting abuse in offices and also as he stormed up and down the corridor," the notes said.

The 82-page notes said Mr Hide's attitude at meetings with her had been "menacing" and she believed he was trying to get her out of Parliament.

Mr Hide today rejected those allegations and said he was no bully.

"I remember one meeting being quite strong with Heather and that's the nature of politics.

"There's no doubt that I can be forceful but I'm certainly no bully and everyone who knows me knows that."

Mr Hide said he had read the first 30 pages of the notes and believed they were untrue and unfair.

It was likely they were prepared by Mrs Roy's ministerial adviser, he said.

The adviser, Simon Ewing-Jarvie, a former ACT candidate and military man, lost his job yesterday.

Mr Ewing-Jarvie did not return calls from NZPA.

The Act caucus was reportedly worried that he had undue influence over Mrs Roy - something Mr Hide confirmed this afternoon.

"Heather's been a very good person and I think she's been poorly advised," Mr Hide said.

"I think that she has got off track as a minister, sadly, and I believe we can get her back on track."

Mr Hide said Dr Mapp had raised concerns with him about defence documents prepared by Mrs Roy's office.

Mr Hide had not seen the first document, but Dr Mapp had concerns about the ideas it contained.

A second report was given to Mr Hide by Dr Mapp who had concerns about the language it contained, including mild swearing.

A third document sparked the recent events. Mrs Roy agreed Mr Hide could see it but only in her office. He disagreed and took it away, she then laid a complaint with Ministerial Services.

Mr Hide said he returned the document without making any copies. He was cleared of any wrongdoing by Ministerial Services.

He said today he had spoken to Mrs Roy last night about returning to Parliament from her two weeks leave.

"She was very fragile, and upset, and she was mortified this document (her notes) had got into the public arena."

Act MP Sir Roger Douglas, a supporter of Mrs Roy, said there was no point denying recent events had damaged ACT.

There had been robust debates between caucus members, but "I've never heard any screaming", he said when asked whether Mr Hide was a bully.

Mr Hide's leadership was not under question, he said.

Sir Roger said he was now reasonably confident that the party could move forward.

"The reality is that we've got to prove that we can...and maybe the toughest thing for all of us is going to be not to go off on tangents."

The ACT caucus needed to learn to work as a team, he said.

"We've got to get over that (infighting)."

Mrs Roy was "obviously bruised" but was strong and would probably be back next week, Sir Roger said.

Prime Minister John Key said Act had been reliable to work with and he hoped their good relationship would continue.

Sir Roger said he had not decided whether to stand at the next election.

"I'll be 73 then. Obviously I'm not going to make up my mind now."

Mr Hide said to his knowledge Sir Roger was not planning on leaving.

"He's never said anything to me, he seems quite happy."

Mrs Roy could not be reached for contact.

- NZPA