Lawyers are discussing lifting a confidentiality agreement between Colin Craig and his former press secretary, the former Conservative Party leader says.
Mr Craig yesterday held a media conference where he admitted there had been some inappropriate conduct between himself and Rachel MacGregor, but rejected any suggestion of sexual harassment.
Photo: Toby Morris
The former Conservative Party leader conceded today he did in part break the confidentiality agreement between himself and Ms MacGregor.
“We are just getting confirmation this morning that in fact her offer is genuine – it’s very appealing to us to be able to lift confidentiality,” he said.
“My preference if we’re going to lift confidentiality is that confidentiality is lifted entirely, and that both parties are free to speak and all the information is out in the public domain.”
Mr Craig resigned as party leader on Friday so the party could consider the leadership position.
In his statement yesterday he told media there had been a great deal of wild and inaccurate speculation about sexual harassment.
Colin Craig during the press conference announcing his resignation as leader of the Conservative Party. Photo: RNZ/Kim Baker Wilson
After the press conference, Ms MacGregor released a statement.
In it she said Mr Craig’s statements to media breached a confidentially agreement they had reached during a Human Rights Commission mediation.
“Despite Mr Craig’s public comments I have been advised by my lawyers that I am still bound by the confidentiality agreement,” the statement said.
“I am therefore unable to correct the clear factual inaccuracies contained in the statement Mr Craig made today without jeopardising my legal position.
“I am willing to correct those inaccuracies if Mr Craig confirms that he will not take legal action under the confidentiality agreement when I do so.”
Ms MacGregor said she did not want to comment further - but then last night tweeted that Colin Craig was trying to frame her as a “mistress”. She tweeted that there was never a sexual relationship, nor was there consent for his inappropriate actions.