A senior National party figure is accused of attempting to derail a candidate for the Auckland Central seat with a late-night call to talkback radio.
Nuwanthie Samarakone's campaign for the seat - which will be decided tonight - has been rocked by controversy recently.
Newshub alleged the man, who called himself Merv on a call with Marcus Lush on Newstalk ZB last Monday, was actually party board member Roger Bridge.
![National Party board member Roger Bridge. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/LO5WMICPQ4JXYGSITKNYYN6YLM.jpg?auth=d2244ff4f9fddaefe154ffd11dfdaa8661b3515510190b48d24cb489e014ca4d&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)