‘Extraordinary’: Nationals Deputy admits to drinking before Parliamentary Committee

Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell has revealed Nationals Deputy Leader Perin Davey admitted to drinking alcohol prior to appearing before a Parliamentary Committee on Tuesday night, where she slurred her words. However, she told Sky News, “I don’t think I was drunk” and claimed to have only had two glasses of red wine. “It is extraordinary – in the first sitting week of the Parliament, we had a former Nationals leader and former deputy prime minister deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce found on the ground, apparently drunk,” Mr Clennell said. “And in the second sitting week, we now have what appears to be the Nationals Deputy Leader slurring her words and appearing drunk at a Parliamentary Committee session. “This occurred on Tuesday night. I’ve spoken to Perin Davey – she’s claimed she only had two glasses of wine.” In a statement to Mr Clennell, Davey said, ‘I went to the Nationals staff drinks that were on Tuesday night … I don’t think I was drunk.’ ‘I wouldn’t say I was under the weather. I stumbled over my words. If you want to pick on people who stumble over their words, there are plenty of Labor MPs (who do so) … I did have a drink.’