Ex-National MP Jami-Lee Ross seeks political comeback
Photo:
RNZ / Simon Rogers
Jami-Lee Ross, the former National MP who explosively laid a police complaint against his then leader, is standing in
local politics
.
Ross has confirmed he wants a spot on the Howick Local Board in Auckland in the upcoming local elections.
"I spent six years on the Manukau City Council before a decade spent in Parliament. I understand council and government processes well and I can put those skills to good use working at a local board level," he said in a statement.
In 2018, Ross sensationally
went to police
claiming former National Party leader Simon Bridges asked him to collect and split a large donation to avoid disclosure rules.
It followed an extraordinary and tumultuous time at Parliament - where Ross resigned and accused Bridges of corruption.
There were secret recordings,
photos released on X (formerly Twitter)
,
It was reported at the time as a
leak scandal and full-blown turmoil
.
Bridges accused Ross of "lying, leaking and lashing out".
In a bitter exit from the National Party, Ross went independent and said he had a mental breakdown as pressure ramped up on him to leave the party.
In the end it was Ross and others charged by the Serious Fraud Office after his police complaint.
Ross would be cleared
of fraud charges after a trial.
Jami-Lee Ross speaks to media after making a complaint to police about National Party leader, Simon Bridges.
Photo:
RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
There were
also allegations he manipulated and entrapped women
.
In 2019, Ross used his social media platforms
to say sorry
to everyone he hurt, including Bridges.
He said he began struggling with mental health as his job and relationships began deteriorating.
After leaving Parliament, Ross had since been
reported to be running an escort agency
where some women reportedly had concerns for their conditions, welfare and safety.
Ross said today he is to make a contribution again now it's five years since he left Parliament.
"The council and local board have failed to keep up with the rapid growth of the Flat Bush community. There's no library, no swimming pool, no community centre, no real transport connections. Local residents deserve more value for their rates," he said.
Ross, who is also a former councillor the old Manukau City Council, said he had the past experience and skillset to be an effective advocate for residents.
Nominations for the local elections closed at midday on Friday.
13 August 2018: An update on MPs' expenses was leaked to Newshub.
14 August 2018: Questions immediately began on who had leaked the information before the official list of MPs expenses was made publicly available. Simon Bridges demanded an inquiry.
15 August 2018: Speaker Trevor Mallard announced an inquiry.
24 August 2018: A person claiming to be the National Party leaker sent an anonymous text to Bridges pleading for the inquiry into the leaking of his expenses to be called off. Hours later, Mallard called off the inquiry that was to have been undertaken by Michael Heron QC.
27 August: Bridges said he would be continuing with an inquiry.
4 September 2018: All 56 National MPs signed a privacy waiver to hand over communications dating back to the start of February.
2 October 2018: Jami-Lee Ross stands down from his portfolios and from the front bench of the opposition, citing personal health issues.
15 October 2018: Bridges said the inquiry report identified Ross as the most likely source of the leak, and he accepted that finding. Ross posts a series of tweets saying he was not responsible and that Bridges was trying to pin the leak inquiry on him.
16 October 2018: Ross holds a nearly hour-long press conference announcing he will step down from National and stand as an independent. He alleged Bridges had broken electoral donation law and said he would put in an official police complaint. Ross questioned Bridges' leadership and heavily criticised him.
17 October 2018: Ross emerges from Wellington Police Station after filing his complaint on Bridges. He releases audio of a phone conversation between himself and Bridges.
18 October 2018: Bridges says he's "gutted" by new allegations his former MP Ross manipulated and entrapped women.
22 January 2019: The embattled Botany MP apologises to everyone he hurt the year before, including Bridges who he tried to take down. He says he began struggling with mental health and that his job and his relationships started deteriorating.
30 January 2019: The Speaker announces Ross will not have access to National Party corridors at Parliament.
25 February 2020: Ross and three others plead not guilty to electoral fraud.
2 July 2020: A trial date is set.
15 September 2020: Now independent MP Ross announces he won't be standing for the Botany electorate, but will be on the party list for Advance New Zealand.
6 March 2021: It emerges Ross is behind a company reportedly planning to sell an anti-5G supplement.
7 October 2022: Ross is cleared of fraud charges over political donations, and the judge releases the reasons why.
17 March 2023: Concerns are raised at an escort business reportedly run by Ross.
1 August 2025: Ross confirms he wants a spot on the Howick Local Board in Auckland.
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