Steven Joyce claims NBR column 'highly defamatory'

National Party MP Steven Joyce said the column was "highly defamatory and includes a significant number of factual inaccuracies". Photo / Mark Mitchell

National Party MP Steven Joyce has confirmed he made a formal complaint to NBR about a column which was highly critical of him, saying it was "highly defamatory."

The column last Friday was by right-wing commentator Matthew Hooton following Joyce's unsuccessful bid for the leadership of the National Party.

Joyce said the column was "highly defamatory and includes a significant number of factual inaccuracies".

It is understood the letter from Joyce's lawyers sought a retraction and apology.

NBR has not yet agreed to do either and it is understood any legal action Joyce took would be defended, including calling National MPs to give evidence in court should it get that far.

NBR's publisher Todd Scott has been approached for comment and Hooton said he had no comment to make.

But, in a post on Facebook Hooton said he called Scott on Saturday afternoon after seeing his tweets and Scott confirmed he did not want to run the weekly column anymore.

"That's absolutely his prerogative. A weekly column is a privilege not a right...He was very clear that he appreciated I had never once abused my position as a columnist by mixing my commentary role with my commercial activities and that all he was wanting to do was protect the NBR brand from future allegations of that nature," Hooton wrote.

On the Joyce matter, Hooton said Scott assured him he would "back me and his editors to the hilt, and he has been as good as his word."

Hooton was dropped as a columnist soon after Joyce's letter but over the weekend, Scott issued tweets about the need to "cull fat" from NBR and saying it was time to cut out paid lobbyists from the media.

That followed flak over RNZ's use of public relations consultant Tracey Bridges, who was working with the Prime Minister's office but had not disclosed it.

Last week former National leader Bill English issued a statement saying he was seeking legal advice over a Sunday Star Times article. There was an apology in this week's newspaper.