Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals party leader Barnaby Joyce says he will resign from his position, telling the media he will step down at Monday’s party meeting.
Joyce, who faced intense scrutiny after it was revealed he is expecting a child with former media advisor Vikki Campion after an affair, said he hoped the resignation would draw attention from his new partner and his family.
“It’s incredibly important this [resignation] be a circuit breaker for Vikki,” Joyce said, “a circuit breaker for my unborn child, a circuit breaker for my daughters, and a circuit breaker for [estranged wife Natalie Joyce].”
He voiced his desire to remain the Member for New England, and confirmed he will head to the backbench.
#BREAKING: Barnaby Joyce will step down as Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the National Party: https://t.co/tbqXacb4BZ #AusPol #9News pic.twitter.com/1Dxb7WL077
— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) February 23, 2018
More to come.
