The controversy surrounding Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell could trigger another by-election less than two months after the last one.
Uffindell has been stood down by National after new allegations emerged from a woman who said he bullied her while they flatted together at university in Dunedin.
Earlier this week, he admitted violently beating a fellow boarding school student at the prestigious Auckland school King's College.
National leader Christopher Luxon has backed Uffindell, his newest MP, from the get-go following his election win just seven weeks ago and even though revelations of Uffindell's bullying past.
But now, a fresh allegation of harassment is emerging from Uffindell's former flatmate in Dunedin
"I was locked in my bedroom because I feared for my safety and he was smashing on my door," the former flatmate told Radio New Zealand.
"Telling me to, 'Get out', 'Hit the road fatty', and swearing and I ended up climbing out my bedroom window and running to a friend's house."
In a statement, Uffindell said a number of flatmates fell out and two left but he rejected any accusations of intimidation or bullying.
And now, a different tune from his leader.
"All I'm saying is new and serious allegations came to light last night I want to make sure they get properly investigated," Luxon said when asked if he no longer trusts Uffindell.
Uffindell has been stood down pending the outcome of that investigation, with the party closing ranks.
"I certainly feel for his family, I feel for the people affected by actions from his past," National MP Harete Hipango said.
"Nothing to say other than my thoughts go out to victims of all bullying," said National's mental health spokesperson Matt Doocey.
Todd McClay was Tauranga campaign chair and he knew about the 1999 incident that saw Uffindell kicked out of King's College for beating up a third former.
He said on Tuesday it wasn't up to him to give his leader a heads up
"Look it's not my role as the campaign chair to talk directly to the leader about things that have happened in that selection process," McClay told media on Tuesday.
Labour's campaign chair in 2020, Megan Woods, said that is exactly the role.
"Certainly it would've been part of what I would've informed the leader about."
And now Luxon said McClay did tell his office, but a staffer failed to pass on the information.
"Sometime during that campaign, he informed my staff, that wasn't passed through to me that is regrettable, it is a mistake."
Tauranga voters are losing patience.
"Oh it's a bit dusty, eh, I'd boot him," one said.
"I think the fault actually lies with the National Party and their vetting," another added.
"He's got too much baggage behind him," a third person said.
Though some support remains.
"Give the poor guy a break," one person said.
A by-election could be triggered if Uffindell resigns. If he doesn't resign and the National Party decides to sack him, he could remain in Parliament as an independent MP until election 2023.
If Uffindell refuses to leave Parliament and the National Party is desperate for him to leave, Luxon could write to the Speaker of the House and request he be removed.
But with a 40 percent turn-out in Tauranga's by-election, there isn't much appetite for another one.
The Electoral Commission said the most recent by-election cost taxpayers $1.2 million and if another is triggered it's likely to cost the same.
