Sam Uffindell stood down
Following further allegations of bullying, this time from a former flatmate in Dunedin, the National MP has been suspended from caucus pending an investigation
Mōrena and welcome to The Bulletin for Tuesday, August 9, by Anna Rawhiti-Connell. Presented in partnership with Z Energy.
In today’s edition: concern about shortage of candidates for local government elections; government working on apology to victims of abuse in state care; Athletics New Zealand has no immediate plans to review selection criteria; but first, Luxon suspends Uffindell following more bullying allegations.
Christopher Luxon has suspended MP Sam Uffindell from caucus (Photos: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone, RNZ / Angus Dreaver)
Former flatmate contacts RNZ’s Morning Report with further allegations
Late last night, further allegations came to light about National MP, Sam Uffindell. As RNZ’s Craig McCulloch reports a woman who flatted with the MP at university in 2003 told Morning Report that “Uffindell was an aggressive bully who once pounded on her bedroom door, screaming obscenities, until she fled through her window.” The woman also told RNZ that Uffindell engaged in a pattern of bullying during their second year at Otago University, and described him as "verbally aggressive". Uffindell would trash the house after "excessive" use of alcohol and drugs, she said. RNZ has an interview with the woman, elements of which were reported by the Herald including her saying “He was smashing on my door and yelling obscenities and basically telling me to get out - 'hit the road, fatty'”.
Christopher Luxon suspends Uffindell pending an investigation
Christpher Luxon issued a statement at 11.21pm last night saying "This evening, my office became aware of very concerning accusations made to RNZ about behaviour shown by Mr Uffindell toward a female flatmate in 2003 while at university. Mr Uffindell disputes the allegations, and in the interests of natural justice, an independent investigation will now be undertaken to determine the facts. While this process is underway, Mr Uffindell will be stood down from the caucus. The investigation will be conducted by Maria Dew QC, and I expect it to take two weeks.”
Uffindell denies allegations
Uffindell also issued a statement saying the latest bullying allegations “simply did not happen”. Uffindell said he "enjoyed a student lifestyle" at university including drinking and smoking cannabis and claims there was a falling out among the flatmates "While in second year a number of flatmates fell out - and two of the flatmates left midway through the year," he said. In a subscriber-only newsletter this morning, Politik’s Richard Harman writes that the National Party is now in “full on crisis management mode”.
Luxon spent yesterday backing Uffindell after assurances
The latest allegations come after Stuff’s Kirsty Johnston broke the story of Uffindell being asked to leave King’s College in 1999 for beating a younger student. The candidate selection panel knew about the incident before selecting Uffindell to run in the Tauranga by-election. Yesterday Luxon said he was blindsided by the news. Uffindell and Luxon spent yesterday fronting the media. Speaking to RNZ’s Checkpoint last night, Luxon said he had been assured the King's College assault was the "worst incident" and that he was confident in backing Uffindell because he is not the same person he was as a 16-year-old bully. Uffindell has said he will not be making any further comment while an investigation is underway.
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Across 572 local government elections in 2019, 101 were uncontested
Yesterday, Local Government NZ (LGNZ) issued an “SOS” for local government. LGNZ is concerned that some roles won’t be filled, or key roles will go uncontested unless more candidates throw their hat in the ring before nominations close this Friday. Toby Manhire has written about the number of uncontested seats in the 2019 local government elections. Across 572 elections, 101 were uncontested. That saw 235 candidates were elected unopposed. Manhire also details the councils where vacancies currently outnumber candidates for the 2022 elections and writes that “the thin fields for local elections have been seized upon by Voices for Freedom…the group that was instrumental in the parliamentary grounds occupation.”
Government working on apology to victims of abuse in state care
Following recommendations from the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry, officials will start working on a national apology to survivors of abuse in care later this year. It is also working on a new, independent redress system for survivors but in the interim, work is underway on delivering more immediate support. Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins said "Designing the new system will take time - it is a complex task, requiring input from many different survivor groups to get it right". Hipkins also said “that survivors should not have to wait until the system is developed to improve the way we help survivors.”
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Athletics New Zealand has no immediate plans to review selection criteria
Following criticism of Athletics New Zealand’s selection criteria after top men’s sprint stars Eddie Osei-Nketia and Tiaan Whelpton were not selected for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, the body says it has no plans to review selection criteria. As Stuff’s Marc Hinton reports, Whelpton has admitted to having pondered if he’s wasting his time sticking with the sport after missing out. Gary Henley-Smith, Osei-Nketia’s coach, believes Osei-Nketia would have medalled on a day South African Akani Simbine snared silver in 10.13sec.
