Photo: Greymouth StarThe MP called "f****** useless" by former National leader Simon Bridges in a leaked recording of a private conversation has been propelled up the party's rankings. The West Coast-Tasman candidate was the subject of a private conversation between Bridges and rogue former National Party MP Jami-Lee Ross - who went public with a recording of the damaging conversation in 2018. Asked to what extent Pugh's ranking was an apology to her over Bridge's comments, new National Party leader Judith Collins described the events of 2018 as "a very unfortunate situation". "And since then she's demonstrated to many of us the very deep knowledge she has of the West Coast-Tasman electorate, and her connections." "That is an electorate the National Party should win.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 08, 2020 05:03 UTC