Overview
- The Labour leader rejected the claims after returning from Australia and declined to discuss details at a Tuesday media conference.
- RNZ reports the allegations appeared on Jade Paul’s private Facebook page, were later removed, and did not allege unlawful conduct.
- He said he did not have an affair while married, did not know what prompted the post, and has not spoken with Paul since.
- Hipkins said Labour MPs sent supportive messages, while opposition figures publicly opted not to engage.
- In later interviews he said thoughts of quitting had crossed his mind, as debate over politicians’ private lives gained attention.