A National MP has been accused of conduct towards another MP that could amount to "threatening or intimidating" behaviour.
Tim van de Molen has been referred to Parliament's Privileges Committee after Speaker Adrian Rurawhe received a complaint from Labour MP Rachel Boyack about the National MP's conduct towards the chairperson of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee on June 29.
Newshub understands van de Molen allegedly stood over Labour’s Shanan Halbert and other MPs had to physically rally around Halbert due to concerns for his safety.
It's understood the National MP expressed concern about the number of questions given to his party's representatives during the committee session.
"There are differing accounts of what occurred at the conclusion of the committee's meeting," Rurawhe said on Tuesday.
"If the allegations are accurate, the conduct complained of could amount to threatening or intimidating a member acting and the discharge of their duty, or threatening a member on account of their conduct in Parliament."
Rurawhe said the Speaker's role is to determine whether the facts alleged "could, if true, amount to a breach of privilege or contempt of the House".
"The Speaker does not enquire into the veracity of the evidence presented, or conduct in inquiring into the allegation. That is the role of the Privileges Committee. I find that a question of privilege arises, and that question stands referred to the Privileges Committee."
National MPs at Parliament on Tuesday afternoon refused to comment given the matter is now before the committee.
Chris Bishop said the "facts are contested".
Van de Molen has also told NZHerald the facts of the case were contested.
Van de Molen is the fourth MP this year alone to be sent to the Privileges Committee after Jan Tinetti, Simon Court and Michael Wood.
Tinetti, was found not guilty of contempt in June over her delay to correct an inaccurate statement made in Parliament, but was forced to apologise.
Court was found to have committed a "clear breach" of confidentiality rules by revealing committee information in a press release.
