By FRANCESCA MOLD
A parliamentary secretary in a relationship with NZ First MP Craig McNair has been sacked because of "irreconcilable differences" with her boss, Labour MP Clayton Cosgrove.
Elizabeth Brown has been dating the 27-year-old new MP for 2 1/2 months. It is understood the long-serving secretary was told yesterday
morning to clean out her desk by lunchtime.
Sources said Ms Brown was told she was being asked to leave because of misconduct, but was later informed that it was because of "irreconcilable differences".
Mr Cosgrove, the MP for Waimakariri and chairman of Parliament's finance and expenditure select committee, did not return calls last night.
Ms Brown could not be contacted. Mr McNair did not want to comment.
It was understood the pair were reluctant to talk publicly about the matter because it could become an issue before the Employment Court.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said he spoke to Mr McNair about the situation yesterday.
The couple were simply two young people having a friendship and continuing to do their jobs in a professional way.
Mr Peters said Mr McNair had informed him of the relationship as soon as he started dating Ms Brown. Their friendship had never been a concern to him.
Allegations were circulating around Parliament yesterday that the decision to fire Ms Brown had come from the ninth floor of the Beehive, where Prime Minister Helen Clark's offices are located.
"If that is true, it's a heartless thing for her to do," said Mr Peters.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister referred the Herald to Parliamentary Services, which is responsible for hiring and firing staff.
The general manager for Parliamentary Services, John O'Sullivan, could not be contacted last night.
Mr Peters said it was common for people from different political parties to date and there were countless examples of husbands and wives working for opposing MPs in the past.
Mr McNair, a list MP, is NZ First's spokesman on youth affairs. His conservative views on sex and drugs have had publicity, particularly after he laid a complaint with police about Green MP Nandor Tanczos' use of cannabis.
Mr Cosgrove has been a Labour Party member since he was 14.
He was a senior adviser to former Prime Minister Mike Moore and was elected to Parliament in 1999 in Mr Moore's old seat.
