Mallard says he will do his bit to improve standards

Trevor Mallard

Labour Cabinet Minister Trevor Mallard has promised to do his bit to improve standards in Parliament after a "discussion" with Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Mr Mallard was expected to get a dressing down from Miss Clark after a remark he made about National leader Don Brash's private life sparked Parliament's descent into personal politics.

"The Prime Minister and I have had a discussion. She has indicated that she wants standards in the House to improve overall and I'm happy to be a part of that," Mr Mallard said in statement today.

"We talked while I was in LA and she was in Tonga. This followed another conversation on the topic before I left New Zealand.

"I am making no further comment on this issue."

National accused Mr Mallard of triggering the plunge into bitter personal politics.

Mr Mallard a fortnight ago in Parliament alluded to Dr Brash's alleged affair with Business Roundtable vice chairwoman Diane Foreman.

He also threatened to dish the dirt on National MPs' personal lives for describing Labour as corrupt over its pledge card spending.

Miss Clark's husband Peter Davis has since been targeted with "gay" rumours.

Miss Clark has said Mr Mallard's behaviour was deplorable and should not be repeated.

"Trevor's outbursts are most definitely not part of our script and have never been," she said.

"I condemn what Trevor did. I think it was extremely foolish."

She said that when Mr Mallard returned home from an overseas trip she would tell him he had done the party a "disservice".

"I don't muck-rake. My party has no mandate to muck-rake. I will of course be talking to Mr Mallard. I'll be talking to the caucus when I see them again. But I'm saying to the National Party, stop your tittle-tattle and call your dogs off."

- NZPA