Brash stands by McCully

National leader Don Brash has emailed his MPs to say he has confidence in veteran adviser Murray McCully and won't tolerate criticism of the senior MP.

Mr McCully, MP for East Coast Bays, is one of the party's key strategists. Dr Brash is understood to seek his advice on issues almost daily.

National Party sources have told NZPA several MPs are unhappy with the level of influence wielded by Mr McCully and they are looking to reduce it in some way.

It is understood that Dr Brash last week emailed all his MPs expressing confidence in Mr McCully and warning that he would not tolerate the criticism of him.

Rakaia MP Brian Connell yesterday confirmed there had been a "communication" from Dr Brash. However, he said Dr Brash would have to play fair and make it known to Mr McCully that he could not criticise his fellow MPs in turn.

Mr Connell said he and National MP Simon Power had been named in the weekly TransTasman news-sheet as being behind the moves to have Mr McCully's influence on Dr Brash curbed.