A Conservative Party board member says a chaperone system was put in place over concerns about an "inappropriate relationship" between Colin Craig and his press secretary Rachel MacGregor. MacGregor resigned just days out from the election, but never said why. Colin Craig stepped down yesterday Since Craig stepped down as Conservative Party leader yesterday, allegations of sexual harassment have been publicly reported on for the first time. Documents are beginning to emerge, including a poem purportedly written by Craig, in which he says he wishes he could be two men in order to share his love around. Blogger Whale Oil says he also has “dirty texts” and other correspondence up his sleeve. Craig is a married man who has been an outspoken morals campaigner, and was one of the most vocal against marriage equality. It's emerged MacGregor made a complaint to the Human Rights Commission about sexual harassment – and it's reported a settlement was reached. Conservative Party board member John Stringer appeared on TV3's The Nation this morning where he stated he wrote to the party about a year ago concerned about allegations about an inappropriate relationship between Craig and MacGregor. He says a chaperone system was put in place to help avert some of the perceptions people had that something untoward was happening, as there were “widespread concerns” about “the awkwardness in the relationship between those two people” which was “seen by almost everybody and commented on quite widely”. He adds “we're not suggesting anything went on physically between these two people. We don't have any evidence of that. However, it has now transpired that this was an inappropriate relationship.” Stringer also touted Bob McCoskrie as a potential replacement as the party's leader, however the Family First leader who holds strong anti-gay and transphobic views says he is not interested. Another potential candidate, Garth McVicar – who suggested marriage equality would increase the crime rate – has also stated he will not run. Christine Rankin is not interested in the leadership either. When Craig stood down it was initially blamed on odd media appearances, including an interview carried out in a sauna, however Stringer says that's a red herring. Watch the full interview on The Nation here
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 20th June 2015 - 3:35pm