By Jeremy Sollars
BREAKING: Speculation is rife that embattled Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce will announce his resignation this afternoon at a media conference he has called for 2pm in Armidale today, Friday 23 February.
Sources close to Mr Joyce are understood to have not denied to the media that he will quit as Deputy PM and Nationals leader and move to the back bench.
It follows confirmation from the Nationals that the party has received a formal complaint involving an allegation of sexual harassment against Mr Joyce, and the fallout of his relationship with former staffer Vikki Campion.
Mr Joyce took a week’s personal leave last Friday.
Local federal MP for Maranoa David Littleproud – a close political and personal friend of Mr Joyce – has repeatedly stated that he continues to support Mr Joyce and says his leader has the majority support of the Nationals party room.
Updates to follow.
