Embattled National MP Sam Uffindell has been cleared of bullying and welcomed back into the fold
But we're going to have to take the National Party's word for it as they're refusing to release a report into his actions.
Uffindell's been spared a farewell.
"I am pleased to welcome Sam back into the National Party caucus," leader Christopher Luxon said at a press conference on Monday.
In August, the freshly minted national MP was revealed to have been a bully. It emerged that he was from Auckland’s prestigious Kings College as a teen for beating a younger student - a sin that was forgiven by Luxon
But a former flatmate's recollection of an alleged drunken rampage during his Otago University days saw Luxon boot Uffindell out of caucus and call in the investigator, Maria Dew KC.
"I was locked in my bedroom because I feared for my safety and he was smashing on my door," the complainant told RNZ in August.
On Monday, National's Party President Sylvia Wood said those allegations were unsubstantiated and aside from his time at Kings and the Otago Uni incident "no one else came forward that considered themselves a victim of Sam's behaviour".
"The last six weeks have been incredibly challenging but I do have the stomach for it," Uffindell said at the press conference.
But we'll have to take their word for it.
"We will not be releasing details of the report," said Wood.
National's saying the report found there are two sides of the story - the flatmate's side and Uffindell's side.
"[He was] telling me to get out and hit the road fattie and swearing and I ended up climbing out of my bedroom window," the complainant said.
But Uffindell said on Monday: "Things were said that I now realise my flatmate overheard."
Asked if he believes his former flatmate is telling the truth, Uffindell wouldn't comment.
Uffindell's have been prayers answered, with Dew favouring his account
"It was thoroughly investigated by Maria Dew and she has cleared me," said Uffindell.
National was dealt the findings on Thursday and sat on them over the weekend. The timing was slammed by the Government.
"It was pretty disrespectful and definitely pretty cynical," said deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson.
Some Tauranga constituents were willing to forgive and forget.
"Let's not dig up the past and cancel people based on something they've done 20-30 years ago," said one person.
"I think people do change and they do mature."
"It happened years ago and he was upfront. So quite frankly, I'm pleased he's got back in."
Others think he's got more explaining to do.
"It doesn't seem good to me," one person said.
"Once a bully, always a bully… I don't want my tax money going to pay his wages he's been a bully" said another.
Luxon doesn't believe National has a bully in its caucus, but the paperwork to prove it is not for the public eye.
