New Zealand’s Labour party has suspended MP Gaurav Sharma over what the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said were “repeated breaches” of caucus rules in the past week.
Ardern had called an emergency caucus meeting on Tuesday afternoon, where it was unanimously agreed to suspend Sharma, who has recently made widespread allegations that he and others had experienced bullying within the party.
Ardern said she had seen no evidence to support Sharma’s allegations.
The prime minister said Sharma was invited to the caucus meeting, but did not attend. The decision means he will no longer participate in any caucus events or activities, unless caucus agrees, until at least December.
“The team were very clear that to function as a political party in a place where open debate and dialogue is so key, you need to trust your colleagues, you need to feel you can speak openly and freely,” Ardern said in a post-meeting press conference.
“That sense of trust has been broken through repeated breaches of our caucus rules over the last five days.
“There are very real issues facing New Zealanders right now – as government MPs our full attention should be on responding to those rather than talking about ourselves,” she said.
Sharma has been approached for comment about the decision to suspend him.
In a newspaper column and social media posts last week, Sharma lashed out at party figures, claiming mismanagement and bullying, and on Monday he released what he said were screenshots of text messages from Labour colleagues supporting his claims.
“I’ve seen nothing to substantiate the claims and allegations of mismanagement and bullying that have been made by Gaurav,” Ardern said on Tuesday.
A mediation process will be provided to resolve the issues, should all parties agree to it. Sharma’s suspension will be reviewed in December. He will be allowed to return to the caucus if trust can be restored, Ardern said.
“But in making the decision to suspend, caucus were clear that the team retains the right to revisit the decision at any time, if the rules continue to be broken.”
