Sidelined National MP Jami-Lee Ross has been identified as the person who leaked Simon Bridges' expenses - but the MP furiously denies the accusation.

National leader Bridges called a press conference for 1pm and told reporters an inquiry by PwC had concluded Ross was the person who leaked the information.

But Ross, who has taken medical leave from Parliament, had pre-empted Bridges' press conference, taking to Twitter minutes earlier to say that the leak would be pinned on him.

He is now threatening to go public about what he claims is "unlawful activity". He did not elaborate.

Later today Simon Bridges is going to attempt to pin his leak inquiry on me. He can not find who the actual leak is, so is attempting to use contact with my local Police area commander, and a journalist that is a friend (not Tova), as evidence that I am somehow involved.

— Jami-Lee Ross (@jamileeross) October 14, 2018

I have said they are unrelated - he does not wish to believe that.

Some months ago I fell out with Simon. I have internally been questioning leadership decisions he was making, and his personal poll ratings which show he is becoming more and more unlikable in the public’s eyes.

— Jami-Lee Ross (@jamileeross) October 14, 2018

When I started to become expendable, I confronted him with evidence that I had recorded him discussing with me unlawful activity that he was involved in. Working on his instruction, he asked me to do things with election donations that broke the law.

— Jami-Lee Ross (@jamileeross) October 14, 2018

This evidence led Simon to push me out on medical leave a few weeks ago. It was essentially an attempt to stop me from speaking publicly.

I now have a duty to speak publicly on these matters. I will do so in coming days.

— Jami-Lee Ross (@jamileeross) October 14, 2018

Bridges says that the claims are not a surprise given the report, and rejects the claims of unlawful activity.

Bridges ordered the inquiry after his expenses were leaked to Newshub several days before they were meant to be officially released.

Speaker Trevor Mallard initially ordered an inquiry, but cancelled it after the alleged leaker texted him and Bridges and said they had mental health issues. 

Bridges believes he still has the confidence of his party, and these are the acts of one single member of parliament. 

TIMELINE

August 13 - MediaWorks publishes a story based on Simon Bridges' leaked expenses
August 15 – Speaker Mallard agrees to hold inquiry
August 16 – Bridges, Mallard and Newshub receive anonymous text message allegedly from National MP pleading for inquiry to be called off on mental health grounds.
August 17 - Bridges talks to mental health experts and tells police about text on advice.
August 19 – Police tell Bridges they have identified and contacted the texter (wont name them) and that the person is getting support.
August 23 - Mallard names Michael Heron QC to conduct inquiry
August 24 – RNZ reveals that texts were sent the previous week to Bridges and Mallard, Ardern and other comment publicly.
August 24 - Mallard cancels Heron inquiry.
August 28 – On Mallard's request. Parliamentary Service starts an investigation into himself and PS staff who access to the travel expenses, using KPMG.
September 4 - Parliamentary Service reports that KPMG finds no evidence of any disclosure of the information to unauthorised parties.