In a bombshell statement about his political future, Barnaby Joyce has announced he will split from the National Party and will not stand for the seat of New England again, saying his relationship with the National Party was “untenable”.

It comes amid growing speculation he was considering joining Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.

Mr Joyce has been embittered since being dumped to the backbench by Nationals leader David Littleproud earlier this year.

He had backed a leadership tilt by Michael McCormack and since his relegation, the 58-year-old NSW MP has been vocal in his opposition to renewable energy and pushed a private member’s Bill on net zero, causing widening divisions in the Liberal and National parties.

Senator Hanson claimed earlier this week on ABC radio that a high-profile

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