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The wife of Senator Glenn Lazarus says her husband left the Palmer United Party because they disagreed with "bullying behaviour" but party leader Clive Palmer has denied bullying anyone.
Tess Lazarus has broken her silence and issued a statement defending her performance 24 hours after being sacked by the party for "failing to comply" with the terms of her employment.
Mrs Lazarus was hired by the Palmer United Party to run its Canberra operations but was based out of her husband's Senate office and was widely regarded as his chief of staff.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott banned family members from working in MPs' and senators' offices in 2014.
But Mrs Lazarus defended her role and appeared to suggest she had been fired for standing up to Mr Palmer.
"I did make it clear to Clive that I was not happy with being bullied and spoken to using foul language," she said.
"I do not think that anyone should have to put up with this behavior in the workplace. Glenn and I do not agree with bullying behaviour."
But Mr Palmer told Fairfax Media, "I've never bullied anyone." He has since described Senator Lazarus, a former rugby league great, as a "washed up" footballer and accused him of "spitting the dummy".
Mrs Lazarus said she was disappointed that Mr Palmer had made "hurtful and untrue" comments about her and her husband since his departure from the party.
She also highlighted the number of people who have left the party including Senator Jacqui Lambie, Queensland state leader Alex Douglas and Queensland deputy leader Carl Judge.
"It has been stressful and upsetting to see so many really good, decent honest, hardworking people who were committed to the party but had issues resign and walk away," she said.
Mrs Lazarus vowed to continue working for her husband in a voluntary role.
