MP Andrew Bayly has resigned from all of his ministerial portfolios after an incident of “overbearing” behaviour towards a staff member last week.
National’s Bayly, who was ACC and Commerce Minister, said concerns had been raised about a recent incident in which his conduct towards a staff member was “overbearing”.
The Port Waikato MP said he had been “impatient to drive change” in his portfolios and that he had engaged in an “animated discussion” with a staff member about work.
“I took the discussion too far, and I placed a hand on their upper arm, which was inappropriate. I have apologised to the staff member and regret placing them in an uncomfortable position.”
Speaking to media, PM Christopher Luxon would not elaborate further on the circumstances leading to Bayly’s resignation as a minister, while Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Luxon not sacking him immediately was “incredibly weak” leadership.
Bayly said on his resignation: “There are times when you have to hold yourself to account and today is one of those days. I have made the personal choice to resign as a Minister and have offered my resignation to the Prime Minister, which he has accepted.”
He extended his gratitude to the officials and staff he had worked alongside while a minister.
“I am incredibly proud of the work we have achieved together, and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Port Waikato and being involved in the work of Parliament.”
Andrew Bayly admits he took a discussion with a staff member “too far”. (Source: 1News)
Incident on Tuesday
The incident occurred in Bayly’s ministerial office on Tuesday, with the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministerial Services informed the following evening.
On Thursday, Ministerial Services discussed the incident with the affected parties.
Bayly offered his resignation to the Prime Minister on Friday evening.
Luxon thanked Bayly for the “hard work” he put into his ministerial portfolios.
“Mr Bayly indicated to me that his actions fell short of the expectations he sets himself, and that are expected of Ministers, and as such has offered his resignation as a Minister, which I have accepted.
“Mr Bayly’s resignation takes effect immediately. Scott Simpson will become Minister for ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs.”
Luxon said at a press conference this afternoon that it was Bayly’s decision to resign and that he agreed it was the right decision, but would not answer directly when asked if he would have sacked Bayly had he not offered his resignation.
He confirmed he was informed of the incident on Thursday last week and said he allowed Bayly to inform his family and staff before announcing the resignation today.
“I think that’s been pretty quick, I think we’ve managed the process incredibly well.”
The Prime Minister would not elaborate on the details of the incident, saying Bayly had outlined it in his own statement.
“I have nothing more to add to that, because I think he’s articulated it as appropriately as he can.”
Complaint was laid – Bayly
Bayly spoke to media flanked by fellow National MPs Simon Watts and Rima Nakhle at a news conference in Pukekohe.
He confirmed there had been a complaint laid but would be drawn on the details.
Asked why it took until Monday for the announcement of his resignation to be made, Bayly said he tendered his resignation late on Friday night.
“To be honest, I would have had difficulty doing this interview over the last couple of days, I’ve had to talk to my family, and that’s why I’ve made the decision and that’s why we’re announcing it today.”
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said: “Christopher Luxon has set the bar for ministerial conduct so low Ministers have to sack themselves.
“Andrew Bayly should’ve been gone months ago. After finding out about the latest allegation on Wednesday, the PM waited days for him to resign when he should’ve been sacked ASAP.”
Hipkins also said that Luxon had a “double standard” for ministerial conduct.
“In Opposition, he set a very high standard for ministers, his standards for his own Government are much much lower than that.”
He said it was “totally unacceptable” that the public were not informed of Bayly’s resignation until today.
It comes after a unrelated incident last October where Bayly was alleged to have told a worker at a Marlborough winery to “take some wine and f*** off”, called him a loser, and formed the shape of an ‘L’ on his forehead with his fingers during a ministerial visit.
In a letter, the complainant, who was a former NZDF member, said they were left “degraded, embarrassed and deeply disrespected” by the incident.
Bayly told 1News on October 18 that he did not believe he told the worker to “f*** off” and that there were “different perceptions” about what occurred.
“The bigger issue is that I put him in a situation where he was offended, and that’s why I’ve unreservedly apologised to him,” he said.
He apologised for the interaction to the complainant and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, adding that the comments were “unintentional” and meant in a “light-hearted manner”.
Luxon said at the time that he retained confidence in Bayly but that the actions “fell well short of my expectations”.
“In my conversation with him, he understood he had got it totally, utterly, completely wrong,” he said.
“What he had intended to be some light-hearted banter, clearly was not the case. He got that totally wrong, and he has apologised to me and to the complainant quite rightly, and more fulsomely about that.”
