Barnaby Joyce’s public apology to girlfriend: ‘I don’t deserve the support you’ve given me’

BARNABY Joyce has publicly apologised to his former staffer turned pregnant girlfriend Vikki Campion in his resignation speech.

OUTGOING Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has publicly apologised to partner Vikki Campion while announcing his resignation amid intense public scrutiny of their relationship.

Mr Joyce, who also revealed today he will step down from his role as Nationals Leader on Monday, told reporters that the personal relationships of politicians shouldn’t be exposed to the scrutiny of the Australian public.

Mr Joyce has been at the centre of a political storm for almost a fortnight since it was revealed that the married father-of-four had an affair with Ms Campion, his former staffer, and that she was pregnant with his child.

“I apologise to Vikki,” he told reporters today in Armidale, New South Wales.

“The idea, walking across the road as a pregnant lady, and just being put under so much pressure. I mean, I thought that’s not who we are in Australia.

“That’s not the kind of people we are. I’m the public figure, go after me. That’s what I get paid for but don’t go after private individuals. It’s just wrong.”

Barnaby Joyce has resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader. Picture: Michael Masters/Getty Images.

Vikki Campion is due to give birth to a son in April.

Mr Joyce said he had received “overwhelming support” from “people literally running up and some crying” but that he didn’t believe he deserved it.

“I’d like to say that it’s absolutely important that there be a circuit-breaker, not just for the parliament, but more importantly, a circuit-breaker for Vikki, for my unborn child, my daughters and for (former wife) Nat.

“This has got to stop. It’s not fair on them.

“It’s just completely and utterly unwarranted, the sort of observation that’s happened.”

Barnaby Joyce with his wife and daughters in happier times. Picture: Kym Smith.

Mr Joyce said he would now focus on his unborn baby and revealed he was in the process of writing a book.

“(It’s about) precisely the people I was talking about and I want to make sure I get that concluded,” he said.

“I want to assist my colleagues where I can to keep their seats and also, quite naturally, in April, a baby will be born. I’ll have other things on my mind.”

The deputy prime minister has spent 16 days fighting off accusations of improper conduct over his affair with Ms Campion and her subsequent moves to two other political offices.

“Over the last half a month, there has been a litany of allegations. I don’t believe any of them have been sustained,” Mr Joyce said.

He said the final straw “that broke the camel’s back” was a sexual harassment allegation revealed on Thursday, which he has asked to be referred to the police.

Mr Joyce has not directly told Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull he is resigning, but said he spoke to Mathias Cormann, who is acting in the role while Mr Turnbull is overseas.

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