A less than ringing endorsement of Todd Barclay from a senior National MP.

The Clutha-Southland MP is in trouble after recording the conversations of office staff without their knowledge - something he initially denied, but has now been forced to own up to. Other claims have followed today.

Finance Minister Steven Joyce said it's up to local National Party members to decide whether Todd Barclay should remain their MP.

He said they had a major thrashing out of the issue last year, and put him back in.

Mr Joyce told Mike Hosking that Todd Barclay has now made quite contradictory statements.

"Is he a liar? Well I must say his two statements yesterday didn't exactly match up, did they? But that's for him to sort out, and it's actually for him to sort out with the party in Clutha-Southland."

LISTEN ABOVE AS STEVEN JOYCE AND ANNETTE KING SPEAK WITH MIKE HOSKING