Barnaby Joyce ended weeks of speculation on Friday when he finally resigned as federal leader of the party following mounting pressure over his relationship with a former staffer, questions over the use of taxpayer money to find a new job for his new partner, and allegations of indecent behaviour.

Mr Joyce denies any wrongdoing but said he was stepping down as leader to give the coalition government some “clear air”.

Mr Gee, who as recently as last week had come out strongly in support of Mr Joyce as leader before dramatically backing away from that position on Friday morning, called Mr Joyce’s resignation a “sad day”.

“It’s a very sad day for the National Party and country Australia,” Mr Gee said in a statement. “It’s particularly difficult because Barnaby was one of the inspirations for me entering politics.”

Despite direct questioning from the Western Advocate, however, Mr Gee would not be drawn on whether he was considering entering the ballot for the party leadership or who he would be supporting in the vote.

Earlier in the day Mr Gee had issued another media statement confirming he no longer supported Mr Joyce remaining as leader.

“Until I have clarification regarding some of the issues about Barnaby, I won’t be able to back him but I’m also not in a position to back any challenger,” he said.

“Our electorate comes first, and nobody has contacted me to tell me they’re challenging, what they’d do for the Calare electorate or how our key projects would be progressed.”

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