
Updated 8.23pm: Colin Craig says he never sexually harassed his former press secretary.
The former Conservative Party leader has addressed media this afternoon, along with his wife, following speculation about his behaviour regarding Rachel MacGregor who quit just days out from the election last year.
Rachel MacGregor has released a statement this evening - saying his statement today, along with other statements in recent days, breach a confidentiality agreement that she and Mr Craig reached during Human Rights Commission mediation.
She said she's been advised by lawyers that she's still bound by that agreement.
She said as a result she is therefore unable to correct the factual inaccuracies contained in his statement made today, without jeopardising her legal position.
She said she's willing to correct those inaccuracies if he confirms he won't take legal action under the confidentiality agreement.
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He stood down as leader on Friday.
Mr Craig says in hindsight, their conduct wasn't always appropriate.
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"In hindsight, on some occasions, our conduct was inappropriate. And we have acknowledged that, so that we can both move on."
"Let me make it very clear. I have never sexually harassed anyone, and any allegations to the contrary are wrong."
His wife, Helen, said the last few days have been difficult.
"Colin is a good man, and it has been distressing for me to see his character and reputation under constant attack. I'm amazed at his resilience."
Colin Craig also revealed he gave Ms MacGregor $20,000 to pay her credit card bill and $16,000 to settle an outstanding account for her work.
However, Colin Craig's chances of getting to parliament are looking slimmer by the day.
Newstalk ZB's political editor Barry Soper said there's a lot of frustration with Mr Craig amongst the party's board.
"I think he hasn't got a hope in hell of taking over the leadership again when this current board is in place."
Earlier today internal Conservative Party emails leaked to Newstalk ZB showed a bitter divide between Colin Craig and the party's board.
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Craig stepped down as leader last week, amid claims a former press secretary - who resigned two days out from last year's election - had been paid a six-figure sum to settle a sexual harassment allegation which involved salacious text messages and inappropriate touching.
The emails between board member John Stringer and Colin Craig reveal a bitter animosity, in which Stringer accuses Craig of sexually harassing multiple women, saying evidence will continue to emerge through the media over the coming days.
Stringer accuses Craig of cutting the board out of the decision to hold a press conference and resign.
Craig answers that he's seen no evidence of the allegations made against him and he won't address rumours and speculation.
Craig has revealed he's taking legal advice, and will front to media later today.
"There's always a desire to want to respond quickly, but I think there's value in a considered response especially when you're dealing with allegations of such a serious nature," Craig told Newstalk ZB.
"I think it's important that I abide by what the legal requirements may be. People may want a knee jerk reaction, but there's been plenty of those already."
Stringer maintains said he's speaking on behalf of other board members, who are intimidated and worried about making their views public.
"I'm not intimidated in the slightest by Colin Craig and if I can take the heat, then that's fine, we need to deal with this and not back down."
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