Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has insisted he will recontest the seat of New England at the next election.

Key points: Barnaby Joyce had been under pressure from some Nationals colleagues to consider his future in Parliament

Barnaby Joyce had been under pressure from some Nationals colleagues to consider his future in Parliament In a paid interview on Sunday, he described some colleagues as "scum" for telling his partner she should get an abortion

In a paid interview on Sunday, he described some colleagues as "scum" for telling his partner she should get an abortion Mr Joyce is currently on leave, will be back in Parliament in August

He has been under pressure from some of his Nationals colleagues to make an announcement about his future.

Some have argued Mr Joyce is proving a distraction for the Government, and hoped he would leave politics at the next election.

"Of course I am running again, the first people I would tell if I wasn't would be the electorate," Mr Joyce said.

"I'm still working for New England, I'm having meetings in the electorate today."

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Mr Joyce had been a great advocate for regional Australia and he, "looked forward to him running again in New England".

Nationals Leader Michael McCormack was less enthusiastic, saying the decision would lie in the hands of National Party members.

"At the end of the day it's a matter for the local branch in New England," he said.

"Anybody can win so long as they've got the support of their local branch, and their local electorate council, and that's the way it works."

Mr Joyce lashed out some of his colleagues during a paid interview with Channel Seven, labelling some unnamed people "absolute scum of the Earth".

Those remarks intensified speculation that Mr Joyce might decide to give up his political career.

Mr Joyce took leave from Parliament last week when he came under pressure for agreeing to the interview about his affair with his former media adviser Vikki Campion.

Mr Joyce and Ms Campion had a son — Sebastian — in April.

He told the Channel Seven program on Sunday that he realised when Ms Campion became pregnant midway through last year that it would mean he would lose his job as deputy prime minister.

He quit that job in February after sustained pressure over his affair with Ms Campion and, separately, an allegation of sexual harassment.

Sorry, this video has expired Barnaby Joyce admits he knew he would lose his job when Vikki Campion fell pregnant (Footage: Channel Seven)

Former party leader approached to consider a comeback

Queensland MP Ken O'Dowd and former party leader John Anderson were among those who suggested Mr Joyce needed to consider his political future.

"I think it's very important for the people of Tamworth and New England that they know they've got someone there who is going to be in there fighting for them," Mr O'Dowd said.

Mr Anderson told the ABC Mr Joyce should consider whether being in public life was in his son Sebastian's best interests.

He also said people in the region were concerned about the impact of Mr Joyce's personal life becoming so public.

Mr Anderson retired from politics in 2007 after 18 years in Parliament, but confirmed he had been approached to make a return to federal politics.

He said it was mostly "joshing", but that one of the approaches might have been a suggestion that he should seriously consider a comeback.