Joyce denies code of conduct breaches

Barnaby Joyce has denied breaching the ministerial code of conduct, saying the woman who's carrying his baby wasn't his partner when she worked for him or his cabinet colleague Matt Canavan.

The deputy prime minister and Nationals leader also publicly apologised to his wife Natalie and four daughters, partner Vikki Campion and supporters and constituents for the distress the public airing of the affair has caused.

Mr Joyce denied allegations in media reports on Tuesday that he sexually harassed a woman in 2011 and said he reserved his legal rights on the matter.