Barnaby Joyce’s controversial television interview may be part of a plan to ‘get out’ of politics

Senator Derryn Hinch has claimed Barnaby Joyce’s television interview may be part of a plan to escape his political career.

The former deputy prime minister will appear in a tell-all interview on Channel Seven with his girlfriend Vikki Campion.

The pair are reportedly earning $150,000 for the interview, and Mr Joyce has taken personal leave from parliament ahead of its screening.

Senator Derryn Hinch told the Daily Telegraph Mr Joyce’s decision to take leave could be part of a plan to leave politics.

The former deputy prime minister will appear in a tell-all interview on Channel Seven with his girlfriend Vikki Campion

The pair are reportedly earning $150,000 for the interview, and Mr Joyce has taken personal leave from parliament ahead of its screening

‘I think he’s setting himself up to get out,’ he said.

‘It’s a bad call, bad form all around,’ Mr Hinch said of Mr Joyce’s decision to accept $150,000 for the interview despite pleading for his privacy.

‘He’s just in it for himself now, I can’t see him coming back.’

Ms Campion has broken her silence in a sneak preview for the couple’s upcoming interview.

Ms Campion says she didn’t plan on the couple’s controversial union.

Vikki Campion has broken her silence in a sneak preview for the couple’s upcoming interview 

‘I couldn’t help it. You can’t help who you fall in love with,’ she says.

The pair’s decision to go forward with the interview has divided the public and parliament.

MPs have called for a ban on politicians selling their stories to the media and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said ‘it’s not a course of action [he] would have encouraged [Barnaby] to take.’

Mr Joyce said the money from the interview will go into a trust fund for his son Sebastian. 

Mr Joyce will be away until the end of parliament’s winter break. 

Mr Joyce will be away until the end of parliament’s winter break and will return in August