Difficult to assess

The Post reports:

Former wife of Labour leader Chris Hipkins, Jade Paul, has posted a series of unsubstantiated personal claims about their relationship on social media – claims Hipkins says he “reject[s] entirely”.

In a social media post referencing Labour’s election campaign themes of health, housing and jobs, Paul described a number of alleged incidents from their time together and criticised the behaviour of men in positions of power.

The claims portray Hipkins in a very negative light. As noted by the media, he has rejected them entirely.

The background:

The British-born public servant made the post on Sunday evening while on holiday in Fiji with their young son and daughter. The Post asked for her permission to report on her allegations.

The couple married at Premier House in 2020 after around six years together. Then-Finance Minister Grant Robertson was best man and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also attended the garden wedding.

She has said in a story on Stuff that asked if she would comment “No, other than I stand by everything I’ve said in the post.”

Now it is not unusual for a relationship to end badly, and a partner to feel aggrieved. I think it is very unfortunate for things to play out in public, especially with children involved.

But the unusual thing here is what Hipkins said three years ago:

“A year ago, my wife and I made the decision that we would live separately, that we would do everything we can to raise our children together.

“We remain incredibly close. She’s still my best friend. …”

Now it is very very hard to reconcile what Hipkins said in 2023, with what Paul is saying today. Either Hipkins was lying in 2023 when he said Paul was still his best friend and they were incredibly close, or something has happened since then so that they have gone from being best friends to threatened defamation lawsuits.

I generally think media should not report on personal issues around politicians. In 2006 Labour MPs harangued Don Brash in the House about Diane Foreman, and media reported on the affair. and chased him around the country seeking a response from him. They shouldn’t have.

It is a more difficult call when a family member states things in a public forum. The David Lange affair was not reported on until Lange’s wife and mother went to the media about it. That made it hard to ignore!

NB: As the allegations are contested, please do not link to them or summarise them in the comments. Doing so will get you suspended.

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