Brash's deputy on stress leave

By AUDREY YOUNG and KEVIN TAYLOR

National's new deputy leader, Nick Smith, left Parliament suddenly yesterday on stress leave, less than three days after Don Brash's coup against his friend Bill English.

MPs were called to Parliament last night for a highly unusual meeting, ostensibly to re-elect new whips ahead of Dr Brash's reshuffle. They were briefed on Dr Smith's absence.

The development is a major setback to a bold start for Dr Brash. He failed to meet the first deadline he set for himself - a reshuffle by week's end - and now he has temporarily lost his deputy to ill-health.

Dr Brash issued a statement saying that Dr Smith was "suffering from exhaustion".

He had carried a huge workload over several months "and it was not surprising he was exhausted".

The deposed Mr English was at last night's 45-minute-long meeting after earlier saying in Invercargill: "I just want to use my experience, which in National is fairly unique. I'm keen to get a good job, but Don decides."

It is understood he has been offered the education spokesman role.

Dr Brash, who has been a list MP for 15 months since leaving his post as Reserve Bank Governor, won the top job on Tuesday with a slim margin, reportedly 14-12.

Dr Smith, an English loyalist and a very intense person at the best of times, admitted the day had been an emotional rollercoaster for him. After his friend was rolled - with Dr Brash's encouragement and Mr English's blessing - he stood as deputy in what he called a "bridge-building" capacity to unite the divided caucus.

But he is understood to have caused concern among colleagues with accusations that senior whip John Carter betrayed Mr English and voted for Dr Brash. Mr Carter has told the Herald he voted for Mr English.

The day after the vote, Dr Smith was grilled by a judge during a court appearance for trying to blame the District Court for his failure to turn up to a case he was taking against Child, Youth and Family.

He lost his bid for a rehearing of a complaint by him that a 14-year-old boy in CYF's care did not attend school. This followed his losing the first case when he turned up at 10.30am for the April hearing instead of 10am. The case was dismissed.

But Dr Smith also has the worry of another case - being charged with contempt of court under the Crimes Act over a statement he made in April when he called for an inquiry into a custody case in his electorate.

The MP for Nelson has been one of the stronger National performers since the election last year. He has a heavy workload with the education portfolio and recently released a detailed policy discussion paper he prepared.

There was no suggestion at the caucus meeting that the deputy's position be declared vacant. But the deputy's role is a demanding one and Dr Smith's setback may raise doubts about his ability to cope with it.

While Dr Brash issued the statement last night, Ilam MP Gerry Brownlee was asked to speak to reporters afterwards about the meeting.

"Everybody knows the sort of pressure he [Dr Smith] has been under, everybody knows he has been involved in a number of high-profile court cases.

"He is a prodigious worker who drives himself very hard and it's our view he should take a couple of seeks off and come back firing for the new job."

Mr Brownlee was favoured by many MPs to become Dr Brash's deputy, but did not put himself forward because he received no encouragement from the new leader.

Dr Brash was said to be completing interviews with MPs about the reshuffle, which he intends to announce on Sunday.

MPs said that last night's meeting had been planned because it had been possible that the whips' positions would be challenged. They played down suggestions it was a special meeting and said it gave Dr Brash the chance to talk to more MPs about the reshuffle.

Clevedon MP Judith Collins, a Brash supporter, apparently gave notice of a challenge against Mr Tisch for the junior post, but withdrew shortly before the meeting for a show of unity.

Mr Carter and the junior whip Lindsay Tisch were reconfirmed as the whips - keepers of caucus discipline.

Earlier yesterday, Dr Brash said his intention of naming his lineup was delayed because he had still not met all MPs to discuss their preferences.

"It was always a fairly ambitious target and what I underestimated was the amount of time the media would take."