Child on the way for ex-mayor?

Michael Laws. Photo / NZPA

Michael Laws appears set to become a dad again at the age of 56.

Former Wanganui District Council candidate Trina McLachlan, 31, announced on social media she was midway through her pregnancy.

She and Laws are understood to have begun a relationship after the former Wanganui mayor and broadcaster mentored McLachlan, then known as Severinsen, when she ran for council in 2010.

Since then, they have shared pictures of themselves together in public, with Laws referring to McLachlan as the "mystery blonde".

Laws refused to confirm the paternity of the child when contacted yesterday.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said, before hanging up.

Laws has three young children with his former wife Leonie Brookhammer and two adult children from a previous marriage. McLachlan has four children.

Last month, Laws announced he was moving his young family to Timaru to take up a development job at Craighead Diocesan School.

McLachlan moved from Wanganui to Dunedin with three of her four children in January.

It is understood she intends to juggle the expanding family with university studies.

At the time of her run for council, McLachlan said Laws had encouraged her bid for public office. "He is my mentor and is helping me. His advice is fantastic. I'm very lucky."

McLachlan is due to give birth in mid-July. She declined to comment.

Laws has said he will take up his new role at Craighead at the end of next month.

Police are continuing to investigate a complaint against him for allegedly smacking a child.