Brash's Act coup angers some National members

Act leader Don Brash. Photo / Janna Dixon

The involvement of National Party supporters in Don Brash's takeover of the Act Party leadership is believed to have angered some in National, as it promoted speculation that the party played a part in the coup.

Dr Brash's most visible support was from Jordan Williams, a lawyer for Franks & Ogilvie, who accompanied Dr Brash in Wellington this week.

Franks & Ogilvie is the firm of former Act MP and 2008 National candidate Stephen Franks, who was Act MP Heather Roy's supporter in the Act caucus meeting last August when she was dumped as deputy leader.

Mr Williams organised Dr Brash's press conference on Tuesday at Chapman Tripp, Mr Frank's former firm.

Mr Williams has been active on the political scene for years, and is understood to be a close family friend of Dr Brash.

He told the Herald he was acting for Dr Brash in a professional capacity.

"It's not uncommon for us to be brought into public law matters and this was certainly one of those. Part of the services we provided were legal advice.

"It's no different to when we've acted for and assisted people in the past ... It was public that we assisted Heather Roy in August last year. It was short-term engagement. I don't see why this would be any different."

Mr Williams would not say if he was a member of a party.

Another who offered his advice to Dr Brash was Michael Bassett, a former Labour Party Minister and close friend of Act founder Sir Roger Douglas.

"I've known Don since 1967," Dr Bassett said.

"He's asked advice from time to time. I've happily given it."

He said he was open to helping Dr Brash in his attempt to reinvigorate the Act Party.

"If I was asked, my response will be, 'is this something I know anything about?' If it is, I'm sure I'd help."

Supercity mayoralty candidate Colin Craig, who was part of discussions about a new party, has told the Herald he supported Dr Brash, but not the Act Party.

The figure that has attracted the most attention from the Labour Party is Simon Lusk, a National Party volunteer who is thought to run a consultancy business to manage election campaigns.

In 2005 he was campaign manager for Napier MP Chris Tremain, and in 2008 he is believed to have had a hand in three National MPs' campaigns, including Louise Upston in Taupo and Sam Lotu-Iiga in Maungakiekie.

Labour MP Trevor Mallard used question time in Parliament this week to imply that Mr Lusk was at the heart of the coup.

"Was the Prime Minister advised by [Cabinet Minister] Steven Joyce of his role in engaging Simon Lusk for the Brash coup?" Mr Mallard asked.

Mr Lusk, who did not return calls yesterday, is understood to have been supporting Dr Brash in recent weeks.

There was even a suggestion that Mr Lusk was at the meeting this week between Dr Brash and Prime Minister John Key, but the Herald has learned this was incorrect.

Dr Brash did not want to comment on who had been supporting him.

"With the exception of Jordan, who was engaged for a very short time, we didn't have anyone engaged professionally at all."