'I think she knew': Why Jacinda Ardern 'may be forced to resign'
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has barely put a foot wrong since taking the country’s highest political office in October 2017.
But the extended honeymoon period for the Kiwi leader has come to an abrupt end, after a sexual assault scandal publicly erupted, plunging the government into turmoil.
The opposition has pounced on the drama, which has even led to suggestions the previously untouchable PM could be forced to resign.
What is the scandal all about?
A male staffer of the ruling Labour party has been accused of assaulting a 19-year-old female volunteer who was involved with the opposition National Party as well as harassing other party members.
The teenage victim told The Spinoff that she was pinned down and sexually assaulted by the man in 2018.
On Thursday, the man she accused of digitally raping her resigned from his position in the Labour Party. His departure came the day after Labour president Nigel Haworth stepped down from his post over criticism about how the incident, and a subsequent investigation by the party were handled.
A Labour Party investigation reportedly cleared the staffer of wrongdoing.
Ms Ardern said she was not aware of the sexual assault claim until it was published in the media.
“In the last 48 hours I have read incredibly distressing reports of an alleged sexual assault involving members of the Labour party,” Ms Ardern said on Wednesday.
She confirmed the allegations “were extremely serious, that the process caused complainants additional distress, and that ultimately, in my view, the party was never equipped to appropriately deal with the issue”.
Opposition leader: ‘I think she knew’
However the leader of the opposition Simon Bridges has seized on the scandal and alleged that the Prime Minister knew about the sexual assault complaint earlier than she claims.
“I think she knew. All very well, it may be that the president is in the wrong, but when you think about this, the prime minister, if you stand back and look at it, is ducking and diving accountability,” he told New Zealand’s Newshub.
“I think she knew and she is saying she didn't.”
In an opinion piece in the New Zealand media, political commentator and radio host Duncan Garner suggested the Prime Minister could even be forced to stand down - although that’s an outcome that remains highly unlikely.
“How the mighty fall, and fall fast,” he wrote.
“Ardern has squandered a massive lead - like a racing car driver a lap ahead crashing into the side wall. I simply can't say with certainty if Ardern is going to walk away from this mass pile up.
“I can't rule out that she may be forced to resign as Prime Minister,” he wrote, while conceding that the idea might seem “far-fetched”.
Accused Labour staffer refutes allegations
In a statement issued by his lawyer, the staff member to Ms Ardern maintained his innocence.
"I adamantly refute the serious allegations made against me," he said. "(I) have made the very difficult decision to resign because of the stress of the situation, and my wish not to be a distraction to the work of the Government."
The man's lawyer reiterated his client's innocence, and noted that the "continued litigation by media" was taking a severe toll.
The prospect of that media storm going away appears remote given the anger that the alleged victims feel, and their involvement of the opposition National Party.
The allegations were given a public airing last month when the complainants took their grievances to opposition MP Paula Bennett after Labour's investigation exonerated the staffer. Ms Bennett is the Deputy Leader of the National Party.
While Mr Haworth and the investigative panel maintained the complaints did not include a serious sexual assault, an email trail produced in media reports suggested otherwise - and forced his resignation.
The question of whether Ms Ardern should have also been aware is now central to her political credibility.
The prime minister, who has campaigned at the United Nations on strengthening the Me Too movement against sexual violence, says she was not told of the nature of the allegations when she inquired about them, and escalated the issue when she discovered it was so.
Ms Bennett said Ms Ardern stood exposed as a hypocrite.
"This goes right to the heart of the kind of leadership she wanted to display," Ms Bennett said.
- With AAP
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