Unexpected exit played down

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig says news his press secretary had resigned came out of the blue. Photo / George Novak

The Conservative Party's election campaign will not be blighted by the sudden departure of party press secretary Rachel MacGregor, Bay of Plenty's Conservative candidate Deborah Cunliffe says.

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

Shortly afterwards Mr Craig said he was unaware of her departure, telling media after a Chinese radio interview that she was taking the morning off because of stress.

However, he said he received an email at noon confirming her resignation. "She didn't give any reason," he said.

"So we've gone back to her and just want to know she's okay, and we're still awaiting a response at this stage."

She was not returning phone calls or emails, he said, adding that he now did not expect to speak to her until today or after the election.

Ms Cunliffe said she believed Miss 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.

"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.

"I'm not worried.

"I think the public in general will have to look at the bigger picture and not one incident from a person from a high-pressure environment."

Ms Cunliffe said Mr Craig had remained calm and solid throughout the campaign and that quality should be considered in light of yesterday's revelations.

"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.

Yesterday, Mr Craig expressed gratitude for all the hard work and effort Miss MacGregor had 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." Miss MacGregor had not offered a reason for the resignation, which had caught Mr Craig "totally out of the blue".