The National Party has insinuated that Meka Whaitiri may have left a staff member with bruises in the mysterious incident that ended her ministerial career.
The Labour MP was removed as a Minister following an investigation into the incident, which took place in her Gisborne office on August 27.
Ms Whaitiri accepted her demotion but has contested aspects of the report, which has not yet been publicly released.
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While there have been allegations of a physical altercation, no details about the incident have been confirmed - but that didn't stop National's Amy Adams from making comments that seemed to echo those allegations.
Speaking under parliamentary privilege in a parliamentary debate on Tuesday, Ms Adams claimed that Ms Whaitiri has been accused of bullying and potentially physical violence.
"This involves allegations of at the very least bullying, and, at the worst, violence and assault," Ms Adams said.
It is not yet known whether the allegations made about Ms Whaitiri involve bullying. It is possible the actual allegations could be on a smaller scale.
"If we are speaking about a Minister laying hands on a staff member, that is incredibly serious," Ms Adams continued.
"The public of New Zealand deserve to know if we have a minister of the Crown laying hands on a staff member to the extent that they end up with bruising."
In response, Labour deputy leader Kelvin Davis said that the Māori caucus - of which Ms Whaitiri remains as co-chair - would support her and did not have to answer to Ms Adams.
"We don't have to justify to any Member of Parliament from the Opposition who has absolutely no idea."
Earlier on Tuesday Ms Whaitiri told media she was "humbled" by the support of the Māori caucus, and that she was "absolutely gutted" about being removed as a Minister.
Newshub.
