National Party meltdown makes international headlines

Jami-Lee Ross released a controversial recording of National party leader Simon Bridges.
Jami-Lee Ross released a controversial recording of National party leader Simon Bridges. Photo credit: Newshub.

The National Party's in-house scrap has made headlines around the world after a recording of party leader Simon Bridges calling one of his MPs "f***ing useless" was released yesterday.

The Washington Post, The New York Post, and The Australian, among others, all reported an Associated Press (AP) article on the contents of the phone call released by ex-National MP Jami-Lee Ross.

Many international reports headlined with Bridges' comment that National MP Maureen Pugh was "f***ing useless."

The Associated Press described the comments as "inappropriate" and said the turmoil had been "startling to many New Zealanders, who are accustomed to a restrained brand of politics."

It was reported the controversy had escalated after Mr Ross accused Bridges of being corrupt.

Also mentioned were the accusations of a hidden $100,000 electoral donation alleged by Mr Ross on Tuesday.

The Irish Independent headlined the AP article with "Calls for New Zealand leader to resign after he was secretly recorded calling his own MP f*****g useless."

And the Guardian UK published an article by Dunedin journalist Eleanor Ainge Roy, which focused on the build up to the release of the recording, and the initial allegations made by Mr Ross.

Worldwide coverage is just another part of the on-going chaos within the National Party recently.

Newshub.