Barnaby Joyce accused of 'pinching a woman's behind' at conference in 2011
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has denied he acted "inappropriately" following fresh allegations he drunkenly pinched a woman on the bottom after an awards night seven years ago.
The allegation involved the now-National Party Leader when he was an opposition senator following a 2011 awards ceremony, The Daily Telegraph reports.
A sullen-looking Mr Joyce was keeping mum before a 7 News cameraman as he arrived at Parliament House on Tuesday morning, saying he would be making a statement later in the day.
"I'll go out front [of Parliament] and make a statement," Mr Joyce said as he made his way through the basement of parliament.
The only comment came when he was asked whether he had acted "inappropriately", to which Mr Joyce said: "No I haven't."
The latest allegation has drawn in the prime minister's office.
John Clements, a former chief adviser to former National Tony Windsor - a long-time enemy of Mr Joyce's - sent a number of text messages about the alleged incident to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's principal private secretary on December 30, 2015, Fairfax reports.
It's alleged the deputy PM pinched a woman's bottom after a Rural Women's Award dinner.
Sally Cray, Mr Turnbull's secretary at the time, reportedly responded saying nothing could be done due to a lack of evidence.
The unnamed woman who made the allegation told News Corp she approached Mr Joyce who was "very, very drunk and nearly falling over". She was concerned over his interaction with another woman.
She alleges she told him to go home when he "pinched" her bottom. The other woman, also unidentified, has denied the allegations that any wrongdoing took place.
A spokesman for the National Party leader has denied the allegations. He said Mr Joyce did not go out after the awards.
The spokesman also pointed out the allegations came from a political rival.
Joyce now under pressure on two fronts
Barnaby Joyce's wife 'deceived, hurt' by news of baby with ex-staffer
Stop 'salami slicing' my life: Joyce breaks silence over pregnancy
The allegations follow a week of turmoil for Mr Joyce after it was confirmed he was having a child with former staffer Vikki Campion, 33.
Rumours of the affair and pregnancy surfaced during the by-election in Mr Joyce's New England seat in October but weren't publicly confirmed.
After winning the by-election, and during debate about marriage equality laws, Mr Joyce told the parliament his 24-year marriage was over.
Mr Joyce and his former staffer have reportedly moved in together, and their baby is due in April.
It's understood Mr Turnbull is furious with his deputy who reportedly assured him six months ago his affair with Ms Campion was over.
There are reports a growing number of Nationals and Liberals want Mr Joyce gone from his leadership role, saying his affair has plunged the government into chaos.
Mr Joyce will make a public statement refuting allegations of misbehaviour on Tuesday.
Liberal cabinet minister Dan Tehan flagged the announcement after former Nationals leader John Anderson warned Mr Joyce his personal affairs were hurting the party and the government.
"He will be making a statement sometime today," Mr Tehan told ABC TV.
"No doubt he will set out his response to what's in the newspapers overnight I think that it is only right and proper to allow him to be able to refute the allegations, as I understand he will."
