“I worked and worked and worked for that party, and yes, I feel very let down," says Christine Rankin.
Nick Grant talks about the Colin Craig saga on NBR Radio and on demand on MyNBR Radio.
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UPDATE: Make that six Conservative Party board members to have now exited stage left – the latest is reportedly Nathaniel Heslop, leaving just five still sitting on what's supposed to be an 11-member board.
UPDATE: According to media reports, Christine Rankin’s resignation as chief executive and member of the Conservative Party has triggered a wave of board members quitting.
It’s understood that four more board members have now left the party: Andrew Craig (former leader Colin Craig's brother), Roy Brown, Regan Monahan and Melissa Perkin.
That slashes the previously 11-strong board to just six members.
Those remaining on the board include Laurence Day and John Stringer.
Mr Stringer, who has been extremely critical of Colin Craig’s conduct, has affirmed his commitment to the party.
Reportedly, however, the board member is facing disciplinary action for releasing confidential information to the media and bringing the party into disrepute.
A board meeting to discuss the allegations about Mr Craig is scheduled for Saturday but may now be held sooner.
EARLIER: Christine Rankin has stepped down as chief executive of the Conservative Party and resigned as a member, citing the allegations regarding Colin Craig’s self-described “inappropriate behaviour” with former press secretary Rachel MacGregor as the reason.
She’s also been critical of the lack of action of the party’s board in relation to those allegations.
"It's over for me, I've done everything I can do,” she has told media. “I think I've given the most sound advice in terms of what the board and the party should do, they haven't acted. I've had enough."
Earlier today Ms Rankin told Radio New Zealand she thought “there is more to come” regarding the allegations, which she viewed as deeply damaging to the party.
"If I was a voter I would certainly never vote again for the Conservatives while this situation affects the party.
"This is a political leader who set himself up as squeaky clean," she said.
Ms Rankin also expressed her personal disappointment with Mr Craig, who she said had “begged” her to join the party.
"I gave my brand to Colin Craig,” she said. “I worked and worked and worked for that party, and yes, I feel very let down."
Post-resignation, Ms Rankin said she felt “great.”
This morning Mr Craig told RNZ his and Ms MacGregor’s lawyer were in talks about lifting the confidentiality agreement between them that Mr Craig at least partially breached during his press conference yesterday.
Ms MacGregor has accused Mr Craig of being inaccurate in his remarks to media but said she's unable to say more due to confidentiality requirements.
Mr Craig has said he would consider leading the Conservative Party again if he has broad grassroots support among the party rank and file.
If he is expelled from the party he founded and funded, Mr Craig is rumoured to be considering starting a new political vehicle.
As to who would lead the Conservative Party in Mr Craig’s stead, the most likely candidate – Sensible Sentencing Trust chief executive Garth McVicar – has reportedly indicated his lack of appetite for the role.
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