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Labour MPs moved quickly to cut Taito Phillip Field loose yesterday, voting during the morning to exclude him from caucus.
By 2pm Prime Minister Helen Clark had written to the Speaker to inform her that Mr Field was "no longer a member of the Parliamentary Labour Party".
Mr
Field's seat in the debating chamber - which he hasn't filled since police started investigating him in late August last year - was shifted to an isolated chair at the back.
Helen Clark said she had "no idea" which way Mr Field's vote would be cast. "It's up to independent members where they put their vote, and I have no further advice on that."
She reiterated that she felt Labour had given Mr Field "a fair run", but patience had run out.
Mr Field's lawyer Simativa Perese said the Mangere MP would decide how to respond within days. He had not decided when to return to Parliament.
Labour has been wary of upsetting the strong Pacific Island constituency support that Mr Field has enjoyed, and yesterday the Maori Party made a clear overture to those voters. Co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples said Labour's action against Mr Field appeared to have been imposed "without due consideration of the views of the Pasifika peoples".
Mr Field has not ruled out joining another party, and was reported yesterday as saying that if he did then the Maori Party would be the obvious choice.
Police have not yet interviewed Mr Field, but that is expected to take place in a few days.
Mr Field said he was "a bit surprised" at Helen Clark's reaction to comments he gave "in response to a scenario" put to him by a reporter on Tuesday where he indicated he could run against Labour at the next election. "I was trying to give an honest answer to a question by a reporter ... I can't see how that can be misconstrued to come to a conclusion that it is a direct confirmation that I will stand against someone else."
Mr Field said he needed to take stock of what had eventuated and make some decisions. He planned to talk to his supporters and local community leaders to help assess where his future lay.
He had been concerned at comments that had been made about him publicly which could prejudice the police inquiry into his dealings with immigrants and allegations of bribes and corruption.
"I've been denigrated and vilified in the media ... then the political commentary was throwing fuel on the fire."
Mr Field said while it had started with the National Party, the recent comments by Helen Clark that his behaviour had been "unethical" and "immoral" had not helped.
"I'm wondering what fairness I'm going to be facing."
He felt betrayed by the Labour Party to which he felt he had always shown strong loyalty.
When asked why he would want to belong to a party which did not want him, he replied: "That's the issue. I have to make up my own mind."
Mr Field said he would consider all the options and did not want to speculate on his future.
He would defend any criminal charges laid against him.
"I know I'm innocent and have done nothing wrong. I want to get to the truth of it." Mr Field said he had been under scrutiny for 18 months, which was unprecedented for a politician and had imposed a huge burden on him and his family
"It's been grossly unfair".
Mr Field had said he intended to stay in his $150,000 a year job to the next election even if police charged him.
