Barnaby Joyce has announced his resignation as Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the National party.

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The embattled politician said he would remain in parliament and move to the back bench. Joyce said he had every intention of contesting the next federal election and remaining as the member for New England.

His resignation comes after weeks of controversy after it was revealed that Joyce’s marriage had broken down after he began a relationship with a staff member. The MP is now in a relationship with his former media adviser and the couple are expecting a child in the near future.

Concerns were raised about the roles Mr Joyce’s former media adviser was given after he stopped working in his office, opposition politicians asked if positions had been specifically created to accommodate the employment of the Deputy Prime Minister’s partner.

The Prime Minister’s office argued that while the former staffer was now Mr Joyce’s partner, she was not his partner at the time the roles were created. The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, subsequently amended the Ministerial Code ordering that ministers could no longer have sexual relations with their staff.

During the weeks long saga the Prime Minister and his deputy publicly exchanged barbs, with Turnbull suggesting Joyce should consider his position, and Joyce hitting back – labeling the Prime Minister’s comments as “inept”.

There was also concern that Joyce was receiving free accommodation provided to him by a local businessman in his electorate.

Earlier this week the Western Australian branch of the Nationals called on Joyce to step down as leader. WA leader Mia Davies said Joyce’s leadership was no longer tenable.

During the political sage over Joyce’s personal life he was accused of hypocritical as he asked the public and the media to keep details of his personal life and relationships private.

Many felt that the requests were contrary to Joyce’s pubic statements in support of the marriage postal survey which was seen as a national debate on LGBTI families.

The National party’s MPs will meet on Monday to vote for a new leader. Nationals MPs Darren Chester and Michael McCormack have been touted as potential new leaders.

OIP Staff