5 Dec 2018

Leaker claiming to be National MP sends another text

10:50 am on 5 December 2018

Another anonymous text message from a person claiming to be a National Party MP has been received by RNZ.

Simon Bridges.

National Party leader Simon Bridges yesterday said the leak on internal polling did not come from within his caucus. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

The anonymous texter, who leaked details of National's internal polling last week, has hit back at the party's leader who said the leak did not come from within his caucus.

After last week's National Party caucus meeting RNZ received a text message outlining details of internal polling, claiming there was a lot of disappointment among caucus members.

Simon Bridges yesterday said the leak did not come from within his caucus, and would not discuss the polling numbers which were not as flattering as a recent public poll.

"I'm not going to talk about internal polls, what we know is we've got a poll there that's public, that's 46 percent, that shows we've got momentum, you can understand there'll be speculation and rumours."

He was asked about the internal polling, putting his party 4 points lower at 41 percent.

"I don't talk about internal polls, it's a Labour Party trick."

After RNZ ran the story with Mr Bridges' comments, it received another text from the same anonymous person saying Mr Bridges was foolish for thinking the polling leak did not come from a National MP.

The texter offered details of what happened in yesterday's caucus meeting as proof they were an MP.

RNZ has been unable to verify the texter's identity.

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