Barnaby Joyce denies rumours daughter had affair with John Barilaro
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has shut down false suggestions former NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro resigned because he was having an affair with his daughter.
Mr Barilaro resigned last week in what was a shock to many. His departure followed NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation.
Mr Barilaro clarified he will not take part in politics in future in any form.
However, unfounded rumours have circulated online of Mr Barilaro having an affair with one of Mr Joyce’s daughters. One of them has worked as a media advisor for him.
Mr Joyce told the ABC on Thursday the rumour is “total and utter rubbish”.
“My daughter is a strong person and she had a completely malicious rumour ... basically people saying that she had been in a relationship with John Barilaro and that's why he left,” he said.
He did not clarify which daughter he was referring to.
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A source close to Mr Barilaro told Mail Online the “awful” allegation was not true.
Mr Joyce made headlines in 2018 over an affair he had with his ex-staffer Vikki Campion. The pair now have two sons.
His affair also started out as a rumour, which he was asked about by the ABC. He replied that he is a public figure but draws the line at people who are not.
The Deputy PM wants more done to force social media companies like Facebook and Twitter to stop people spreading lies.
"From my own personal experience of recent times, you have got to get to a point where you say enough is enough," Mr Joyce said.
"These platforms just say 'oh well it's too hard to control'.
"It's not too hard for you to collect your billions of dollars from it and apparently it's not too hard for you to set up vessels to avoid tax in Australia."
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