Pauline Hanson slams Rod Culleton as ‘ego-driven’ after senator resigns from One Nation

PAULINE Hanson says she’s glad to see the back of Senator Rod Culleton, describing him as “ego-driven”, “demanding” and “over-the-top”.

PAULINE Hanson says she’s glad to see the back of senator Rod Culleton, describing him as “ego-driven”, “demanding” and “over-the-top”.

“Rod Culleton is a pain in my backside,” the One Nation leader told Sunrise this morning. “I am glad to see the back of him.”

Mr Culleton has quit the One Nation party in a statement released on Sunday night.

He accused Senator Hanson and her chief of staff of trying to force him to resign and wielding control over his office.

“The PHON leader’s rants against me have been accompanied by demands for my resignation and control over diaries, office management and staffing by Senator Hanson and her chief of staff, James Ashby,” he said.

“The irrational dictates have caused only distrust and disunity.”

Mr Culleton is facing legal battles, including one case before the High Court, which could render him ineligible as a parliamentarian.

Ms Hanson said Mr Culleton had asked her for money to deal with his legal problems and she said no.

“I said this could cost $1 million ... that is the party’s money,” she said.

“Up until yesterday, he has been asking for money and he does not have the guts to ring me.”

She also hit back at claims she asked him to resign, saying he was the one who asked her about it: “He asked if I wanted him to resign. I said yes.”

At the party’s first meeting with Malcolm Turnbull, she said Mr Culleton bullied the Prime Minister about holding a royal commission into the banking sector.

“He was demanding. He was over the top,” she said.

Pauline Hanson slams Rod Culleton on Sunrise.

Her view was that the party should start by helping the farmers and then work on getting a royal commission down the track.

“The government has guaranteed One Nation to have a Senate inquiry ... that has been done,” she said.

Ms Hanson also complained that he did not attend party meetings 90 to 95 per cent of the time.

“He wasn’t interested,” she said. “He was too busy running round the place doing his own media ... or going to other meetings and dealing with his legal proceedings,” she said.

“He is ego driven and he loves the media.

“I am sorry to the people. I did not expect him to be this type of man.”

She said there was uncertainty around what will happen with his Western Australian seat if he was found to be ineligible to hold office.

“I am sorry that this has happened, it is the case,” she said.

“He is (litigious). It goes on and on and on. I can’t have it. I have worked too hard.”