‘The straw that broke the camel’s back’: sexual harassment claim forces scandal-hit Australian deputy PM Joyce to quit

He was due to be acting prime minister this week with leader Malcolm Turnbull away visiting the US, but he decided to take leave

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Barnaby Joyce, Australia's deputy prime minister, has announced he will resign. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:31am, 23 Feb 2018Updated: 10:51pm, 23 Feb 2018

Australia’s scandal-hit deputy leader Barnaby Joyce announced on Friday he was quitting and moving to the backbench amid claims of sexual harassment and controversy over an affair with a now-pregnant former aide.

Joyce, whose National Party rules alongside Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s Liberals, has been front-page news in Australia for two weeks since it emerged he had left his wife of 24 years for his younger former media adviser, who is now expecting their baby boy.

The 50-year-old had insisted he would ride out the storm but his position became untenable on Friday when a sexual harassment complaint against him, which he denies, was lodged with the party.

“I will say on Monday morning at the party room [meeting], I will step down as the leader of the National Party and deputy leader of Australia,” Joyce said at a press conference in Armidale, his country New South Wales electorate.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce sits with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Joyce has announced he will resign from his post amid sexual harassment allegations and an ongoing affair scanda. Photo: AFP

Australian Deputy Prime Minster Barnaby Joyce (centre) sits with colleagues including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during a session in the Australian Parliament. Photo: AP