Extraordinary message from Barnaby Joyce staffer’s father

The father of Barnaby Joyce’s pregnant staffer has delivered an extraordinary message to the Deputy Prime Minister.

Retired firefighter Peter Campion, estranged father of Vikki Campion, 33, referred to Mr Joyce, 50, as his ‘future son-in-law’ in his statement.

Mr Campion first heard of his daughter’s relationship with Mr Joyce from media reports on Wednesday revealing the couple are expecting a baby in April. 

Retired firefighter Peter Campion, estranged father of Vikki Campion (pictured, left, right), 33, referred to Mr Joyce (pictured, right), 50, as his ‘future son-in-law’ in his statement

Mr Campion first heard of his daughter’s relationship with Mr Joyce (pictured) from media reports on Wednesday revealing the couple are expecting a baby in April

‘Vikki’s mother and I think that with Baaa-naby [sic] as dad the kid will probably be a perfect little lamb,’ he said in a statement made to the Cairns Post.

‘Politics sure does make for strange bedfellows. We just never imagined our daughter would hop into one with a former Kiwi.

‘Our future son-in-law should give himself an uppercut for failing to give one to the PM.’

Mr Campion said he has not spoken to his daughter, a former journalist and Mr Joyce’s media adviser, for years.

‘Vikki’s mother and I think that with Baaa-naby [sic] as dad the kid will probably be a perfect little lamb,’ Mr Campion said in a statement (pictured is Mr Joyce on Wednesday)

‘Politics sure does make for strange bedfellows. We just never imagined our daughter would hop into one with a former Kiwi,’ said Mr Campion (pictured is Ms Campion, right, with Samantha Armytage, left)

‘Our future son-in-law should give himself an uppercut for failing to give one to the PM,’ said Mr Campion (pictured are Barnaby and Natalie Joyce in 2015)

Ms Campion attended high school in Tolga, in the Tablelands Region of Far North Queensland, and her father writes regular letters to the regional newspaper.

A critic of the Turnbull Government, Mr Campion said in his statement he hopes Mr Joyce ‘can find a respectable job’ and referred to the prime minister as ‘Mr Talkbull’. 

The Deputy Prime Minister first announced his separation from his wife of 24-years, Natalie Joyce, in December last year.

Mr Joyce broke his silence about Ms Campion’s pregnancy on Wednesday night, saying the breakdown of his marriage was painful for everyone involved.

‘One of the greatest failures of my life was the end of my marriage,’ he said during an interview with the ABC.

Mr Campion said he has not spoken to his daughter (pictured), a former journalist and Mr Joyce’s media adviser, for years

Ms Campion attended high school in Tolga, in the Tablelands Region of Far North Queensland, and her father writes regular letters to the regional newspaper (pictured are Barnaby and Natalie Joyce)

Just hours earlier Natalie Joyce made a statement to the media saying she felt ‘hurt and deceived’ by the Deputy Prime Minister.

‘The situation is devastating, for my girls who are affected by the family breakdown and for me as a wife of 24 years who placed my own career on hold to support Barnaby through his political life,’ she said.

‘Our family has had to be shared during Barnaby’s political career and it was with trust that we let campaign and office staff into our home and into our lives.

‘Naturally we feel deceived and hurt by the actions of Barnaby and the staff member involved. 

‘I am deeply saddened by the news that my husband has been having an affair and is now having a child with a former staff member.

A critic of the Turnbull Government, Mr Campion said in his statement he hopes Mr Joyce ‘can find a respectable job’ and referred to the prime minister as ‘Mr Talkbull’ (pictured are Mr Joyce and Ms Campion)

The Deputy Prime Minister (pictured with Ms Campion) first announced his separation from his wife of 24-years, Natalie Joyce, in December last year

Mr Joyce (pictured with his wife Natalie) broke his silence about Ms Campion’s pregnancy on Wednesday night, saying the breakdown of his marriage was painful for everyone involved

‘I understand that this affair has been going on for many months and started when she was a paid employee.’

Mr Joyce refused to comment on whether his relationship with Ms Campion began when she was a paid staff member.

He shut down the question, saying he was ‘incredibly hurt that private issues were dragged out’.

The separated couple have four daughters, aged in their late teens and early 20s, from their 24-year marriage.

They met during O Week while Mr Joyce was studying accountancy at the University of New England.

‘One of the greatest failures of my life was the end of my marriage,’ Mr Joyce (pictured with his wife and daughters) said during an interview with the ABC

Mr Joyce (pictured with his wife and daughters) refused to comment on whether his relationship with Ms Campion began when she was a paid staff member

‘The last day was a car rally in a ute and he just came up to me and went, “You’ll do”,’ Natalie said in an interview in March last year.

Joyce’s family were opposed to their marriage, leaving his side of the church empty but for two pews, but changed their minds over time. 

The Leader of The Nationals was forced to resign from his position as Deputy Prime Minister in August last year, amid a dual citizenship saga which embroiled Parliament.

The government lost its majority in the lower house after the High Court ruled he was ineligible to sit due to his dual New Zealand citizenship.

Mr Joyce, who has since renounced his New Zealand citizenship, comfortably won the New England by-election on December 2, and resumed his cabinet posts the same day. 

Mr Joyce, who has since renounced his New Zealand citizenship, comfortably won the New England by-election on December 2, and resumed his cabinet posts the same day