Labour suggests Todd Barclay recorded Bill English

Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay arriving in the debating chamber for Question Time today. New Zealand Herald photograph by Mark Mitchell

Labour has suggested Todd Barclay recorded phone conversations between his former staff member and Bill English.

The Prime Minister faced more questions over his involvement in the Barclay secret recordings controversy today, in the first question time since a recess.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters kicked things off by asking English why he felt the need to interfere in an employment dispute, and why he was in "constant communication" with Barclay's former staff member Glenys Dickson.

Dickson worked in Barclay's electorate office and went to police with a complaint Barclay had secretly recorded her, in the midst of an employment dispute. She previously worked for English for years during his time as the local MP. After English opted to become a list MP Barclay became Clutha-Southland MP.

English said he had no comment to make on that matter, but said he was surprised this was the biggest issue Peters had to raise ahead of the election. Peters continued his questioning.

"If he was only peripherally involved, why was he in such frequent communication with Glenys Dickson, late at night and early in the morning?

"If he is denying this frequency, will he release his relevant phone records regarding his communications with Glenys Dickson?"

English said he had no ministerial responsibility for such questions, and he expected Peters to raise more important issues in future.

Labour MP Chris Hipkins asked English if he used a ministerial services-funded phone "when he discussed Todd Barclay with Glenys Dickson, and was that conversation recorded by Todd Barclay?"

English again said he had no ministerial responsibility for such matters.

Barclay returned to Parliament today for the first time since he announced on June 21 he would not seek re-election as Clutha-Southland MP in September's election.

That decision came after a bombshell admission from English that Barclay had told him he had recordings of his former electorate office staff member Glenys Dickson, which were made when a Dictaphone was left running in the office.

Dickson worked for English for years. After English opted to become a list MP Barclay became Clutha-Southland MP and fell out with Dickson.

Barclay returned to Parliament today for the first time since he announced on June 21 he would not seek re-election as Clutha-Southland MP in September's election.

Barclay, 27, did not answer questions when entering Parliament and a meeting of National's caucus later in the morning.

He sat in the back benches throughout question time, between Sarah Dowie and Hekia Parata, and kept his head down almost the whole time, working on papers on his desk.

English told media this afternoon he hadn't spoken to Barclay today.

"I don't track the MPs and what they do day to day...he represents his constituents, he has constituents there to whom he is accountable...I'm told he has been doing work in the constituency."

Police have re-opened an investigation into allegations Barclay secretly recorded the conversations of his former electorate staff member Glenys Dickson.

Another soon-to-retire National MP, Murray McCully, has not attended Parliament since he stepped down as foreign minister in May.

In a text, the East Coast Bays MP said he would be back at Parliament, and deliver a valedictory speech, "provided that there is an enthusiastic and generous press gallery audience".