'I apologise' - Hide sorry for Roy's 'distress'

Heather Roy fronts up to the media on her surprise return to Parliament yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Act leader Rodney Hide has apologised to Act MP Heather Roy for any distress he has caused her in a show of party unity today.

The two went into the House together today - in contrast to yesterday, when Mrs Roy unexpectedly returned early to Parliament but did not tell Mr Hide - after an emergency caucus meeting where all Act MPs pledged support for the leader and deputy leader John Boscawen.

When prompted by media, Mr Hide apologised to Mrs Roy.

"I apologise to Heather for any distress I might have caused and I'm happy to do that. She's been a loyal Act member and a loyal campaigner, she's been a great MP. And as I've said she's been a good minister and what we're now doing is looking to go forward.

"It's never my intention to upset people, and certainly not to upset people on my own team."

He previously questioned her performance as Associate Defence Minister and said her advisor Simon Ewing-Jarvie had been an undue influence.

Mrs Roy accepted the apology.

In Mrs Roy's leaked dossier prepared for last week's caucus meeting, she called Mr Hide an intimidating bully who had been trying to discredit her and said she would not meet him alone because she feared for her safety.

Mr Hide accepted that he could be perceived as a bully, though he restated that he did not believe he was - though he could be "forceful".

"I can set high standards and sometimes get frustrated. I do accept comments like that and I strive to be better."

Mrs Roy also apologised to the Act caucus for the leaking of her notes by Dr Ewing-Jarvie and apologised for the problems they caused.

"I apologised for the impact that that had. It was never intended to be leaked ... but I had nothing to do with that and I re-iterated that," Mrs Roy said.

The Act caucus accepted that she wasn't aware of or responsible for the leak.

Mrs Roy also accepted Mr Hide's word that he did not pass on any cabinet papers.

In her dossier she alleged that Mr Hide had leaked a defence paper to Act member Nick Kearney. Both have denied the allegation.

"I didn't do that and I think there has been some misunderstanding that has occurred, and Heather has been satisfied by my assurances," Mr Hide said.

Mrs Roy also accepted Mr Hide's word that he did not run a campaign against her as a minister.

"Rodney said that didn't happen and I take his word."

She said she no longer had any issues with having to meet with Mr Hide alone.

"We've had a lot of discussions and we're determined to move forward," Mrs Roy said.

Mrs Roy returned to Parliament yesterday flanked by her husband and Act MP Sir Roger Douglas, despite being told to take until next week off to consider her future.

The previous day Mr Hide had raised questions about her return, saying there would be some tough questions to be answered before she could return to caucus.

Mr Hide was not informed about her return.

"Heather's a lot tougher than I appreciated. She came back within a week, she bounced back. It's a hell of a shock to anyone to lose a position, and other MPs have done that and taken a while to come right.

"I didn't know that Heather was coming back, but she decided to come back and I'm so pleased."

Mrs Roy said she wasn't just putting on a brave face.

"I've been in the House in urgency, I think the guys are pleased to have me back because it's another person to share the load ... this isn't just a brave face."

She said she had never considered being an independent MP.

Caucus decided that Mrs Roy will sit on the education select committee, and also take responsibility for the Voluntary Student Membership bill that is currently in select committee.