Rachel MacGregor asks Colin Craig to withdraw defamation suit and let her 'get on with her life'

Rachel MacGregor wants Colin Craig to withdraw any defamation proceedings against her and let her "get on with" her life. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Colin Craig's former press secretary Rachel MacGregor says she just wants to move on with her life, following revelations that the former Conservative Party leader may have been planning to sue her for defamation.

MacGregor resigned two days before the election in 2014, and made a sexual harassment complaint against Craig. She later received an out-of-court settlement.

Craig is currently suing Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater for allegedly defaming him in posts about sexual allegations involving MacGregor.

The case was heard at the High Court at Auckland, with the judge's decision still reserved.

Slater is counter-suing Craig for defamation over claims made in a booklet called Dirty Politics, which was distributed to 1.6 million homes.

Radio NZ reported on Fridaythat Craig was planning to sue MacGregor for defamation if he lost the case against Whale Oil.

But Craig denied that report to the Herald, saying he had "historically" considered suing MacGregor but decided against it.

In a statement today MacGregor said she had become aware that Craig filed defamation proceedings against her in November 2016.

"Despite filing those proceedings nearly seven months ago, Mr Craig has not served papers on either me or my lawyers. I only became aware of the claim after media comments by Mr Craig in the last few days," MacGregor said.

"My understanding is that the proceedings relate to matters that I consider were resolved in mediation before the Human Rights Commission and in my subsequent case before the Human Rights Review Tribunal."

She said she had been advised that Craig's "failure" to serve those proceedings on her or her lawyers for several months was a breach of the High Court rules.

"It is unclear to me why Mr Craig would want to file proceedings but not give me notice of them.

"I strongly believe Mr Craig's claim against me is an abuse of process.

"Over the last year I have been dragged unwillingly into being a witness in two court proceedings by Mr Craig and others. I have been required to give evidence that was both highly personal and highly distressing.

"I would like to get on with my life."

MacGregor invited Craig to "put an end" to the saga by withdrawing the proceedings.

Craig confirmed to the Herald that defamation papers had been filed last November, but would not say whether they had been served to MacGregor, whether it was an abuse of process, and whether he planned to withdraw the defamation suit as requested.

"My standing rule, and I'm not going to break it, is that on legal matters I never comment till the judgment is out," he said. "I don't comment on any legal issues until they are ultimately at an end."