Little, Goff yet to discuss Hughes affair

Labour Party President Andrew Little. Photo / Jason Dorday

Labour president Andrew Little is still waiting to speak to leader Phil Goff about the scandal that sank the career of the party's brightest young star.

Little said he contacted Goff's office in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon after receiving a call from a journalist. He left two more messages that night to say other journalists had called.

However, Little said he had yet to speak to Goff and had instead spoken to chief of staff Gordon Jon Thompson and once to deputy leader Annette King on Friday.

Little said he and Goff had been together at least six times and the Hughes situation had not been mentioned. Goff said last night it had been a busy week and he had not had time to call Little.

"It is, for me, a caucus matter."

Labour politicians yesterday ruled out a coup against Goff. Talk of a leadership challenge was widespread after the scandal broke on Wednesday but became muted after the MP resigned on Friday.

David Cunliffe - tipped as a future leader - said he harboured no such ambitions. Asked if Goff had made the right decisions, he said: "Phil's had some difficult calls to make. Damned if you do, damned if you don't."