New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has fired her immigration minister after being tipped off by the opposition leader that he had engaged in a 12-month-affair with a staffer in his office.
Ms Ardern said on Wednesday that Iain Lees-Galloway had accepted his situation was untenable, and Ms Ardern was concerned that an abuse of power may have taken place. The affair took place over a 12-month period and ended several months ago, Ms Ardern said.
Ms Ardern’s office was notified about the affair by Judith Collins, leader of the National party, who provided details of a third party who confirmed the affair directly. The prime minister said she was satisfied the accusation was “substantiated” and Mr Lees-Galloway had confirmed the details himself.
Ms Ardern said she was unaware of the affair before being informed by Ms Collins and said that she had wished Mr Lees-Galloway had told her. He was dismissed on Tuesday but went home to share the news with his family before it became public on Wednesday.
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According to his parliamentary biography, Mr Lees-Galloway is married to an early childhood teacher and they have three children.
Ms Ardern said her minister - whose portfolios included workplace relations and safety - “showed a sustained lack of judgment over a long period of time”.
“The minister has shown a lack of judgment over a period of 12 months. In undertaking this relationship he has opened himself up to accusations of improperly using his office,” Ms Ardern said.
“He has not modelled the behaviour I expect as a minister that is in charge of setting a standard and culture in workplaces. His actions have led me to lose my confidence in him as a minister.”
Ms Ardern said she wanted to reform the parliamentary culture so it could regain the public’s trust. An inquiry had been launched by ministerial services to ensure no taxpayer funds were not used during the course of the affair.
The relationship was consensual, Ms Ardern said, but the woman’s identity was being protected. Ms Ardern said all ministers needed to ensure their behaviour was beyond reproach - particularly two months out from a general election.
“In a political environment, we often hear rumours and hearsay that is very often incorrect and so that is something all members of parliament need to keep in mind in a highly politicised environment during an election year that will often happen.”
The minister’s dismissal comes one day after a National party MP, Andrew Falloon, resigned after it was discovered he sent an unsolicited nude picture message to a female university student.
MP for Palmerston North since 2008, Mr Lees-Galloway said in a brief statement he apologised to everyone he had hurt, and asked for privacy for him and his family.
“I accept the prime minister’s decision and apologise absolutely,” Mr Lees-Galloway said. “I have acted completely inappropriately in my position and cannot continue as a minister. I have apologised to my family for letting them down. Please appreciate their privacy.
“I also apologise to anyone who has been hurt by my actions.”
The reaction in New Zealand varied, with some expressing disgust at the alleged abuse of power, while others thought it was not the public’s business to know who the minister chose to sleep with.
The affair came to light after Ms Collins received an email tip-off, and approached the prime minister after question time on Tuesday.
“I asked to speak to her and I said I had received such a tip-off and I did not want to receive any information on it. I would be asking the person to send it directly to her,” Ms Collins said.
“She has provided me with an email address for that and that has been passed onto the person who contacted me. I don’t want to engage in this.”
July has seen a slew of resignations in parliament, including National party MPs Andrew Fallon, Hamish Walker, Nicki Kaye, Amy Adams and former leader Todd Muller, who departed as leader after 53 days in the job.
Labour MP and minister of health David Clark also resigned in July over his handling of the coronavirus crisis, and repeatedly breaking a nationwide lockdown.
New Zealand’s general election is scheduled for September 19th, with current polls showing Labour in a comfortable position and Ms Ardern’s popularity solid among voters.–Guardian