Embattled Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce continues to refuse to step aside amid the drama of his affair with his now-pregnant former staffer.
Despite holding crisis talks with Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney on Saturday, the Deputy Prime Minister continues to ‘frustrate’ the country’s leader.
The Prime Minister said he was ‘frustrated that Barnaby still doesn’t get it,’ a source told The Courier Mail.
The controversial Deputy Prime Minister (pictured) continues to refuse to step aside amid the drama of the former pregnant staffer scandal
Despite talking with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) in an urgent meeting on Saturday, Barnaby Joyce continues to keep his position, ‘frustrating’ the country’s leader
The heated words back and fourth between the politicians come a week after Mr Joyce’s affair with his pregnant staffer Vicky Campion (pictured), 33, became public
Mr Joyce agreed to take personal leave this week which will mean he won’t be the acting prime minister while Mr Turnbull is in America.
The heated words back and fourth between the politicians come a week after Mr Joyce’s affair with his pregnant staffer Vicky Campion, 33, became public.
Ms Campion is due to have the 50-year-old’s baby in April.
‘The minister can be the most eligible bachelor or young woman in the country and be absolutely free in terms of who they can have relations with – but if they’re a minister in my government they cannot have sexual relations with their staff,’ Mr Turnbull said, according to the publication.
Members of the National Party have reportedly been plotting to oust Mr Joyce from leadership through secret conversations on messaging service WhatsApp, The Advertiser reported.
The party has been divided by members planning to rid their leader, while others have praised Mr Joyce.
Mr Joyce (pictured) agreed to take personal leave this week which will mean he won’t be the acting prime minister while Mr Turnbull is in America
Members of the National Party have reportedly been plotting to oust Mr Joyce (pictured with Ms Campion) from leadership through secret conversations on WhatsApp
Mr Joyce’s 24-year marriage ended with estranged wife Natalie late last year, which he announced in December at Parliament House in Canberra.
The couple had four daughters together.
Mr Turnbull said on Thursday the ministerial code of conduct had been rewritten and asked Mr Joyce to ‘consider his position’.
‘The real issue is the terrible hurt and humiliation that Barnaby, by his conduct, has visited on his wife, Natalie and their daughters and indeed, his new partner,’ Mr Turnbull said in Canberra.
‘Barnaby made a shocking error of judgement in having an affair with a young woman working in his office.
‘He has set off a world of woe for those women and appalled all of us.’
The Prime Minister asked Mr Joyce on Thursday (pictured) to ‘consider his position’
The controversial deputy’s 24-year marriage ended with estranged wife Natalie (pictured together) late last year, which Mr Joyce announced in December
Mr Joyce responded in tit-for-tat style the following day.
‘In regards to comments by the Prime Minister yesterday at his press conference, I have to say that in many instances they caused further harm,’ Mr Joyce said.
‘I believe they were in many instances inept. And most definitely in many instances unnecessary.
‘All that is going to do is basically once more pull the scab off for everybody to have a look at.’
The Prime Minister cannot sack his deputy because it is up to the Nationals MPs to choose their leader under the coalition agreement.