In an interview with Fairfax, Barnaby Joyce has said he is not certain of whether he is in fact the biological father of Vikki Campion ’s unborn child.

Citing physical separation during the period of time the baby would have been conceived, Joyce said the topic of contention was a “grey area”.

While slamming the initial report fromThe Daily Telegraphin February that revealed Campion’s pregnancy to Australia, Joyce said he was never asked to confirm whether he was the father.

“How could they know?” Joyce said. “They never even asked if it was Joyce’s bundle.”

Listen to: “Kate Langbroek is right, sleeping with a married man is a shitty thing to do.” (Post continues after audio.)

Joyce also voiced his disapproval of the photographs taken and published of Campion and Joyce, claiming them to be an “outrageous” breach of privacy.

Sharri Markson, the journalist behind the story, has spoken out in defence, tweeting the following:

Here’s the email where, contrary to his quotes in Fairfax, I directly ask Barnaby Joyce, before publication, if the baby is his and ask him to confirm he had already told his wife and daughters. We published the story when we were satisfied he was treating the unborn as his own. pic.twitter.com/sKNBjCaqKP

— Sharri Markson (@SharriMarkson) March 3, 2018

Additionally, Joyce has revealed that despite his doubts, he is not planning on undertaking a paternity test to determine the truth.

“It’s mine on the record, there it is,” the former deputy prime minister said.

“I can say even if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t care. I’d still go through this. I still love him.”

The Australian public has expressed their criticism of Joyce’s most recent words, with some questioning how this news could possibly positively impact the situation as a whole for him and Campion.

Barnaby Joyce logic is pretty whack he says he’s expecting a baby and then says media failed because it didn’t ask him if it was really his I mean bloody hell this is getting pretty weird https://t.co/IKq4sLmntq

— Samantha Maiden (@samanthamaiden) March 3, 2018

For someone who wants privacy, this is a pretty weird way to go about it. And one wonders if he ran this story past the other party involved. Super weird.

— Charlie Pickering (@charliepick) March 3, 2018

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