Andrew Bayly, the Minister of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, and ACC, has resigned from his portfolios after an altercation with a staff member last Tuesday night.
In a statement, Bayly said he had chosen to resign after concerns were raised with Ministerial Services and the Prime Minister’s Office about “overbearing” behaviour toward a staffer.
"Last week I had an animated discussion with a staff member about work. I took the discussion too far, and I placed a hand on their upper arm, which was inappropriate,” he said.
"I have apologised to the staff member and regret placing them in an uncomfortable position”.
A timeline published by a spokesperson said the event happened on Tuesday and was raised with the Prime Minister’s office and Ministerial Services on Wednesday evening.
Bayly, who was a Minister outside of Cabinet, offered his resignation on Friday night.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a statement he had accepted the resignation and thanked Bayly for the hard work he had done in his portfolios.
“Mr Bayly indicated to me that his actions fell short of the expectations he sets himself, and that are expected of Ministers, and as such has offered his resignation as a Minister, which I have accepted”.
The resignation takes effect immediately and Scott Simpson will step up to become Minister for ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
Simpson is a senior National Party whip, who previously chaired the Environment Select Committee and briefly served as a junior minister under Bill English in 2017.
Bayly’s resignation was likely further fueled by an incident with a member of the public last year, where he called a worker a “loser” and swore at him.
The Minister was responsible for a range of reforms in the financial sector, including on competition. He says he plans to stay in Parliament and continue to represent his Port Waikato electorate.
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