Serious Fraud Office director David Bradshaw will need to explain his actions if he expects the National Party to have confidence in his independence and professionalism, says Nationals deputy leader Roger Sowry.

"The director of the SFO told a Labour Party MP, Attorney General Margaret Wilson last week that he intended to investigate a matter involving the National Party. Yet the President of the National Party, the alleged victim, has yet to be informed.

"Section 30 of the Serious Fraud Office Act requires the director to "act independently" and states that "the director shall not be responsible to the Attorney General" in respect of any investigation.

"Quite clearly the complaint was made by someone working against the interests of the National Party. And Mr Bradshaw has allowed himself to be used by those who are working to undermine the National Party's interests.

"His decision to release a media statement raises serious questions as to his judgment. At best Mr Bradshaw's actions have been foolish and incompetent. At worst, the director has breached his own legislation and become actively engaged in a partisan political process to the point where his continued tenure of the SFO directors role must be in question.

"If Mr Bradshaw cannot satisfactorily explain his actions, he will have lost the confidence of the National Party."

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