The former diplomat and list MP racked up a $61,090 travel and accommodation bill last year - the third-highest for Wellington-based MPs. Asked about those expenses today, Mr Key said Mr Foster-Bell was among a group of MPs that tended to travel more, as that was required by the party. Prime Minister John Key has defended the high travel bill for one of his backbench MPs. Mr Foster-Bell remained on the list after losing out in March 2014 to Shane Reti for National's nomination for the Whangarei electorate. Paul Foster-Bell has also faced accusations of poor management after reportedly having 12 staff leave over a period of three years.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 27, 2016 07:18 UTC