The New Zealand Racing Board Chairperson, Glenda Hughes is deeply involved in the National Party scandal, talking to the woman allegedly bugged by MP Todd Barclay, about withdrawing her complaint to the police.

New Zealand Racing Board Chairperson, Glenda Hughes

The identity of Hughes, a director on the National Party board has become one of the points of focus in the unfolding scandal enveloping the National Party's handling of the allegations against Barclay.

Barclay is facing intense pressure over claims he secretly recorded former electorate secretary Glenys Dickson, who then complained to the police.

Within weeks of laying a complaint with police about the alleged secret recording, Dickson spoke to a National Party board member.

She was quoted saying: "I was told if I didn't withdraw the police complaint I could potentially take down the National Party, and there was an [implication] that if National didn't have Barclay in Parliament they were one short to pass legislation."

“I was told if I didn’t withdraw the police complaint I could potentially take down the National Party, and there was an inference that if National didn’t have Barclay in Parliament they were one short to pass legislation.”

Dickson said she was also told that it would be difficult for her and her family if she had to appear in a high-profile court case.

“The board member explained to me if I withdrew my complaint I would be considered a hostile witness and the police would have not had a case.”

Inquiries have revealed NZ Racing Board Chairperson Glenda Hughes, was the board member Dickson referred to as making the call.

Former Clutha-Southland electorate chairman Stuart Davie says, he got a “rark up” from Glenda Hughes about supplying the police with the text messages he’d received from Bill English .

“They made up part of my statement to the police and Glenda was furious I’d given them to the police.”

After Dickson complained to the police, Hughes urged her to withdraw the complaint.

The Herald has attempted to contact Hughes on a number of occasions since learning her role yesterday afternoon. She has not responded.

The Herald has also attempted to speak to National Party president Peter Goodfellow to find if Hughes had placed the call at the request of the board, or if he had talked to her about it. He has also not responded to messages.

University of Otago law professor Andrew Geddis told the Herald that the call was "unwise" given Dickson had made a complaint which police were investigating.

Dickson received a payout from her employer, Parliamentary Services, on leaving Barclay's office - a payment topped up with money from then-Prime Minister John Key's leader's budget to take into account a breach of her privacy.