There were claims that retiring MP Steven Joyce threatened to take Matthew Hooton to court for defamation over Hooton’s final column in NBR in early March. It appears that Joyce may have progressed such a threat after Hooton issued a public apology to Joyce today.
On Facebook:
APOLOGY TO HON. STEVEN JOYCE
On 2 March 2018 a column I wrote was published in the print edition of the NBR and on the NBR’s website. It was titled: “Joyce sacking first test of Bridges’ leadership”.
This article could reasonably be understood to suggest that the Hon. Steven Joyce had engaged in unethical, dishonest and/or corrupt behaviour during his tenure as a Minister in the previous National Government.
Nothing in the column was intended to convey such suggestions, which would be untrue. I apologise to Mr Joyce for any harm caused as a consequence.
END
Also on Kiwiblog “Matthew Hooton has asked Kiwiblog to publish this”: Matthew Hooton apology to Hon Steven Joyce
I don’t know why it was required there, it could have been due to comments at the time, as I don’t recall Farrar posting anything critical of Joyce. He did post Joyce resigns
This is a big blow for National. Steven wasn’t just a top performer in the House, but had been an integral part of National’s strategy and campaign team for well over a decade. They will miss him.
There has been no post about this on Whale Oil yet, but that’s not unusual, it has become common for little reaction for stories of interest emerging during the day until the following morning.
It will be interesting to see whether a couple of posts at Whale Oil stay as they are – Slater may have tidied things up, or he may be a bit edgy about the possibility of more legal challenges.
An interesting reaction:
There has also been quite varied reactions to Scott on Twitter.
Your NZ 
Alan Wilkinson
/ 23rd April 2018So Scott fired Hooten and now complains when Hooten doesn’t consult him??
Gezza
/ 23rd April 2018No. Scott fired Hooton. He’s moaning about Hooton. Not Hooten.
Lift your game please, Al. Call yourself a details person?
Alan Wilkinson
/ 23rd April 2018When did I ever call myself detailed? Hooten, Hooton, Horton – they’re all the same to me and you and Who.
Gezza
/ 23rd April 2018Call yourself someone who deals in facts & accuracy, then?
Disgraceful, Al.
This one will come up again – mark my words. 😕
Alan Wilkinson
/ 23rd April 2018Never been a nitpicking bureaucrat, Sir Gerald. I’ll leave that department to you.
Gezza
/ 23rd April 2018Apology accepted. I’ll put it down to that blocked ear. 😐
Pete George
/ 23rd April 2018Alan Wilkinson
/ 23rd April 2018Scott isn’t impressing me. I gather he still owes Colman a substantial sum for NBR.
Pete George
/ 23rd April 2018His reaction today is certainly quite odd.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 23rd April 2018It’s in keeping with his previous outbursts. Wouldn’t fill his staff with confidence IMO.
Revel
/ 24th April 2018Probably didn’t fill Hooton with much confidence his legal fees would be paid should the matter progress.
The NBR published his work presumably with it going through editorial checks. Scott may be writing Joyce a nice little holiday cheque shortly.
Gezza
/ 23rd April 2018Steven must have a very expensive lawyer.
Has Hoots ever publicly apologised before?