FLYNN MP Ken O'Dowd this morning said he could throw his hand up and nominate as leader of the federal National Party if the position is thrown open today.

Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce is under pressure today to prove his pregnant partner and former staffer was not working for him while they were a couple.

LATEST | Ken O'Dowd backs down from 'light hearted' deputy PM remark

Mr O'Dowd told 4CC this morning that the situation was "embarrassing and a distraction" and if the position became vacant "a lot of hands would go up".

Reader poll Do you think Ken O'Dowd would make a good deputy PM? This poll ended on 13 March 2018. Current Results Yes of course 19% Definitely not 67% I'm not sure yet 13% This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

He acknowledged that his could be one of them.

If elected leader of the Nationals in Canberra, Mr O'Dowd would become the deputy Prime Minister of Australia.