Ben Fordham has come to the table with a new story on Barnaby Joyce’s affair.
The radio 2GB drive presenter reports that the Deputy Prime Minister attempted to send out a Christmas card last year that featured a family photo of himself, his wife Natalie and his four daughters.
At this stage, Mr Joyce’s lover and former staffer Vikki Campion was around five months pregnant with their child and his 24-year marriage had broken down.
“I have been told by a trustworthy source that in December last year Barnaby Joyce’s office drafted a Christmas card to be sent out to the Deputy PM’s friends and colleagues,” Fordham told his listeners on Tuesday.
“On the front of the Christmas card was a photo of Barnaby, his wife Natalie and their four children all smiling.”
“And before the card was sent out, Barnaby Joyce’s office consulted with wife Natalie to see if she approved of the design and she told them they had to be kidding themselves.”
He added: “Mrs Joyce told Barnaby’s office where they could stick the Christmas card.”
Mrs Joyce recently shared her “devastation” at learning that her estranged husband is expecting a baby with a woman he used to work with.
Speaking to The Australian, Mrs Joyce said that she is deeply saddened by the news which has sent upset through her family.
“This situation is devastating on many fronts. For my girls who are affected by the family breakdown and for me as a wife of 24 years, who placed my own career on hold to support Barnaby through his political life,” she said.
Mrs Joyce hinted at betrayal, explaining that their family had let office and campaign staff into their home and lives.
“Naturally we also feel hurt by the actions of Barnaby and the staff member involved,” she said, before pleading for privacy during this time.
Mr Joyce is pictured with his former wife of 24-years, Natalie.
The Nationals leader has since has publicly apologised to his wife, his daughters and his pregnant partner.
“I want to say, to Natalie, I’m deeply sorry for all the hurt this has caused. To my girls, how deeply sorry I am, for all the hurt it has caused them,” he said outside parliament house.
“To Vikki Campion, how deeply sorry I am that she has been dragged into this.”
He also apologised to his “supporters” that the “deeply personal issue” has shifted into the public sphere.
Ms Campion, 33, worked as Mr Joyce’s media advisor before she moved into a more senior role with Resources Minister Matt Canavan in April last year.
The mother-to-be then joined the office of Nationals chief parliamentary whip Damian Drum, before losing her job when Mr Drum moved from his role to become the Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister.
She is yet to speak publicly about the news.
