The focus is on Prime Minister Bill English after his under-fire MP Todd Barclay announced he would not seek re-election because of a secret recording controversy. A short time later English fronted media, and said Barclay had made the right call, and denied the controversy would hurt National with only months to go until the election. Dickson complained to police and English later gave a statement outlining the conversation with Barclay. English initially said he couldn't recall who told him about the recordings outlined in his text and Barclay denied he had told the Prime Minister he had recordings. Asked if Barclay had in fact resigned to save English's credibility, the Prime Minister said Barclay had outlined his reasons for a decision that was very difficult to make.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 21, 2017 01:21 UTC