National candidate Jake Bezzant cuts ties with party following explosive claims

Jake Bezzant ran unsuccessfully for the Upper Harbour seat in 2020. Photo / SuppliedNational candidate Jake Bezzant has parted ways with the political party following explosive claims that he impersonated his ex-partner online, shared explicit photos and even pretended to be her during cyber sex.Bezzant’s former partner, Tarryn Flintoft, has gone public with the claims in an hour-long podcast shared online this week.Bezzant, who unsuccessfully ran for the Upper Harbour seat last election, told the Herald there is no truth to the accusations.The National Party touted Bezzant as a promising part of its intake of fresh talent in 2019.”We were first made aware of the podcast, and the allegations and behaviour it mentions, late this morning,” a party spokesman told the Herald last night.”We looked into the matter, and Mr Bezzant is no longer a member of the National Party.”Flintoft said she recorded the podcast after discovering that Bezzant was still allegedly impersonating her online, even though they had broken up a year ago and they hadn’t been in contact for months.”[He] used to impersonate me online, would make Snapchat and dating sites and things. and would engage in online sex as me, and would send nude images and videos…
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