- Former Conservative Party leader Colin Craig is being sued for defamation by Taxpayers' Union executive director Jordan Williams.
- Mr Williams alleges Mr Craig defamed him in comments he made at a news conference and in a leaflet, Dirty Politics and Hidden Agendas, which was sent to 1.6 million households around the country in July last year.
- The case revolves around Mr Craig's relationship with his former press secretary, Rachel MacGregor. Ms MacGregor resigned suddenly just before the 2014 election.
- Mr Williams has said that Mr Craig's comments suggested Mr Williams had been dishonest and made up allegations about why Ms MacGregor had left her job.
- The court heard that Ms MacGregor confided in Mr Williams about letters she had been sent by Mr Craig, as well as the sexual harassment she allegedly experienced.
- The case is being heard in the High Court in Auckland in front of Justice Katz and a jury.
- It is understood to be the first time a civil case has been heard in front of a jury in Auckland since 2002.
14 Sep 2016
