Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins Ryan Bridge following yesterday's confidence vote. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY
National MPs alleged to be among those causing trouble for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon have denied leaking to the media, with one saying they were “p****d off” and another “outraged”.
Amid speculation over his leadership, Luxon on Monday admitted on the Mike Hosking Breakfast thatthere would be a“handful of people who’d understandably be disgruntled”.
The next day, Newstalk ZB broadcaster Mike Hosking teased listeners over who “the leakers in the National Party are”.
“First of all, I am not a journalist,” Hosking said. “Second of all, I don’t have sources. Somebody told me this and I know that they know ... they didn’t say off the record. I said, ‘who are they?’ and they went ‘bing, bing, bing, bing and bing.’”
He named the MPs as Tim van de Molen, Sam Uffindell, Barbara Kuriger, Andrew Bayly and Joseph Mooney.
“I don’t know how widely these names are known because I don’t care and I haven’t inquired but I have impeccable sources.”
Hosking claimed co-ordination between these MPs and Chris Bishop, who is often speculated about as a leadership contender. Bishop has repeatedly denied he is attempting a coup against Luxon and said he would not be the leader before the election.
National leader Christopher Luxon put his leadership to the test on Tuesday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The five MPs named by Hosking have since denied the allegations.
This morning, Hosking read out responses from the MPs.
Uffindell told the Herald: “I’ve never leaked to the media”.
“I was p****d off. I have responded to ZB overnight.”
Mooney told Mike Hosking Breakfast: “I refute the allegations made. I have nothing more to say about it. I am pleased to say, however, that our caucus is completely united behind the Prime Minister.”
He threatened on X to make a formal complaint about the broadcast.
Later, he told the Herald: “It was complete and utter rubbish”.
Kuriger’s response to Hosking was: “Your source was incorrect. I hope this corrects the misinformation.”
She told reporters at Parliament: “I’ve actually written and asked what the source of that information was because I have not talked to the media. You’re the first media I’ve talked to.”
Bayly told the Herald: “I am very annoyed that allegation has been made. As you will know, I have not been speaking to the media and I refute the allegation.”
Van de Molen said he expected better from Hosking.
When he was asked on Tuesday if he was among the five “moaning MPs”, the MP said: “No. I am always raising concerns from my constituents as part of my role as MP for Waikato.”
The MP on Wednesday said he was “angry” with the situation.
It came after intense speculation over Luxon’s leadership due to poor polling and a Herald article on Friday reporting multiple National sources saying Smith had tried and failed to contact Luxon about wavering caucus support - a report Smith wouldn’t respond to until Tuesday when he denied it.
