Craig ''not manipulative'' - Bay candidate speaks

Deborah Cunliffe, Bay of Plenty Candidate for the Conservative Party.

Bay of Plenty's Conservative Party candidate says she was shocked to learn of the sudden departure of press secretary Rachel MacGregor, but the campaign would not be blighted by the incident.

Ms MacGregor told Newstalk ZB she had left the party as of this morning. Newstalk ZB's political editor Barry Soper, who broke the news, said she was very upset and had described party leader Colin Craig as a "manipulative man".

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig. Photo/file

Deborah Cunliffe said she believed Ms MacGregor was simply overwhelmed with the high-pressure environment of the party's campaign headquarters. There was nothing more to the resignation, she said.

Ms Cunliffe said Mr Craig was not manipulative and she hoped voters would view Mr Craig and the party on their performance so far ''rather than on this one incident''.

''It's hard because we are so close [to election day]. Anything like this to a party. it has to be handled very delicately.

''I think people would just love it if this became a blot on the landscape but it isn't what everyone is trying to make it out to be.

''People that know Colin . . . they all know that we are people that represent family values.''

Tauranga Conservative Party candidate Nathaniel Heslop would not comment on the matter this afternoon.

In a statement sent to media, Mr Craig expressed gratitude for all the hard work and effort that she has put into the campaign.

"The campaign puts stress on everyone and Miss Macgregor has been party of a wonderful team that have given 110 per cent.''

Read more on the fall out here.

View the video of Mr Craig learning of the resignation below.