An Oamaru woman will appear in court after allegedly attempting to run over National MP Jacqui Dean with her car earlier this week.
The woman is facing a charge of assault with a deadly weapon and is expected to appear in Oamaru District Court on December 15.
Dean, the MP for Waitaki, was not harmed in the alleged altercation but is understood to have been frightened by the incident, which took place on Monday morning, according to Stuff.
It's understood the alleged assault followed an incident involving the women's dogs.
The incident is not believed to be politically motivated, Stuff reports.
It has been a long two weeks for Dean, who was at the centre of the latest National Party saga after former leader Judith Collins demoted National MP Simon Bridges over a comment he made in front of Dean at an event five years ago.
In a shock late-night media release, Collins announced that Bridges had been demoted over an allegation of "serious misconduct".
Collins was subsequently booted from the helm in a vote of no confidence and was replaced by Christopher Luxon.
Last week, Dean took to Facebook to post a short statement, saying it's "been a long and brutal week in politics" and it was not her intention "for past issues to be thrust into the spotlight".
"I took no pleasure in being caught up in what was a political power-play that took attention away from the important issues of the day," Dean wrote.
"I went into politics to advocate strongly on behalf of the people, communities and businesses of this electorate and I will continue to focus on doing just that."
Police wouldn't comment on the issue when asked by Newshub as the matter is now before the courts.
Newshub has contacted Dean for comment.
