A former senior National Party Minister is weighing in on the stir caused by new the Deputy Prime Minister at the first Cabinet meeting. 

Winston Peters called the $55 million Public Interest Journalism Fund provided during Covid a "bribe". 

He told reporters to "tell the public what they had to sign to get the money". 

Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking that it's a bit of 'Winston being Winston', although some people do have genuine concerns. 

He says the media put itself in this position by taking the money in the first place, which wouldn't have happened in his time. 

NZME's funding agreement included acknowledgement of absolute editorial independence. 

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