Barnaby Joyce says there is ‘grey area’ over whether he is father

BARNABY Joyce claims he is unsure if he is the father of the baby being carried by his partner Vikki Campion because he was travelling in Europe at the time of the child’s apparent conception.

BARNABY Joyce claims he is unsure if he is the father of the baby being carried by his partner Vikki Campion because he was travelling in Europe at the time of the child’s apparent conception.

The bizarre claim by Mr Joyce, who resigned his leadership of the National Party after the pregnancy of his lover and former staffer was revealed, comes after a month in which the disgraced politician has lashed out at the media and rival politicians for taking an interest in his “private family matter”.

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In an interview with Fairfax Media, Mr Joyce says the child’s paternity is “a bit of a grey area” but appears to reluctantly accept his situation.

Mr Joyce attends the election of a new leader of The Nationals last week.

Mr Joyce and Ms Campion chat in a Sydney bar in February last year. Picture: Roger Tavener

“It’s mine. On the record, there it is. And can I say, even if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t care, I’d still go through this, I’d still love him,” Mr Joyce reportedly said, adding he had no intention of getting a paternity test.

But he attacked the Daily Telegraph for publishing a page one picture of Ms Campion under the heading ‘Bundle of Joyce’, saying: “How could they know? They never even asked if it was ‘Joyce’s bundle’,” Mr Joyce said.

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But before those photographs were published, The Daily Telegraph directly asked Mr Joyce’s chief of staff if Mr Joyce was the father.

He did not reply.

The Sunday Telegraph repeatedly approached Mr Joyce, Ms Campion and the Prime Minister’s office over recent months requesting interviews about the pregnancy and were refused.

Mr Joyce has not previously denied paternity.

Mr Joyce’s furious wife Natalie appears in no doubt, saying in February: “I’m deeply saddened that my husband is now having a child with a former staff member.”