Photo: NZ HeraldSimon Bridges' deputy chief of staff and former Chief Families Commissioner Belinda Milnes will on Thursday face assault and wilful trespass charges in the Masterton District Court. The trespass charge relates to a property his client has an interest in and, he says, "is similarly thin". David Ware, Milne's ex-husband, said he did not want to comment. She resigned suddenly two years later to again work in Bennett's office and stayed there during her time as Deputy Prime Minister. Hosting a family violence conference in 2013, Milnes told delegates the Commission runs the annual White Ribbon campaign to raise awareness with men about domestic violence.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 26, 2019 05:26 UTC