Carter: 'I'm still a Labour MP'

Chris Carter. Photo / Dean Purcell

A statement issued by Chris Carter today suggests he is preparing to fight his expulsion from the Labour Party on the basis that he is still loyal to it.

"My dispute is not with the Labour Party but with the current parliamentary leadership," he said.

Labour leader Phil Goff and the Labour caucus unanimously suspended him from the caucus two months ago after he was exposed as the person behind anonymous letters to reporters designed to destabilise Mr Goff's leadership.

In parliamentary terms he sits as an independent MP although legally he is the Labour MP for Te Atatu.

Labour's New Zealand Council is due to consider his expulsion from the party within the next three weeks.

Mr Carter has been on stress leave as an independent MP since being expelled from the Labour caucus in July for his attempt to undermine Phil Goff's leadership.

He declined to be interviewed yesterday, but said in text messages that he still considered himself a Labour MP.

Mr Carter this afternoon put out a statement saying: "I have returned to my duties at Parliament and in my electorate. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the Te Atatu electorate in this parliamentary term with my usual energy and enthusiasm."

Mr Carter's membership is being considered by the Labour national council, which has started disciplinary action against him, but is still waiting for him to respond to the concerns outlined by the council.

There is no time limit on when Mr Carter has to respond, but the party hopes the matter can be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Labour president Andrew Little told Radio New Zealand today that was likely to take place within a couple of weeks now Mr Carter was back at work.

In his statement, Mr Carter said: "I consider myself to be a Labour MP, still, and I totally support the principles and values of the Labour Party.

"Naturally I will be voting with Labour on all occasions for the remainder of this Parliament. I will be supporting Labour in the coming election and hope that the party is successful.

"My dispute is not with the Labour Party, but with the current parliamentary leadership.

"I remain a member of the New Zealand Labour Party and my nomination to be the Labour candidate in the Te Atatu seat at the next general election remains at this stage valid. I will determine whether I continue with this nomination in the next few weeks.

"I am grateful for the unanimous endorsement of the Te Atatu Labour electorate committee to continue to be their candidate, and for the strong support I have received from many constituents."

Mr Carter, who has refused to give interviews since his return to Parliament yesterday, said "I appreciate that journalists have questions for me and I will make a full statement and take questions after the October recess."

Mr Carter did not sit in the debating chamber yesterday and does not expect to properly return to Parliament until October 4, the start of a recess week.

He is the only nominee for the Labour ticket for Te Atatu for the next election, but nominations are open until October 8.

It is understood there is some pressure from local Labour members and constituents for him to stay on as the Labour nomination.

Mr Goff said that Mr Carter appeared to have recovered as he was back in Parliament, and he should now front up to the council to defend his case if he wanted to stay in the party.

"Chris Carter has been formally expelled from the Labour caucus. He cannot claim to be a Labour MP," Mr Goff said.

"My understanding is that he would be standing down at the next election, but that is for him to say.

"He is not a member of my caucus and I don't have responsibility for him."

- with NZ Herald staff, NZPA