Phil Goff
Leader of the Labour Party
29 July 2010 Media Statement

Goff: Post-caucus statement

Labour Leader Phil Goff has issued this statement following this afternoon’s Labour caucus meeting:

“I was made aware this morning of an anonymous letter sent to journalists.

“When confronted, Chris Carter admitted he was responsible for those letters and their distribution.

“A short time ago Labour’s caucus met and a unanimous decision was taken to suspend him from the caucus.

“As of now Mr Carter is no longer a member of the Labour Party caucus. The New Zealand Council of the Labour Party will shortly consider his membership of the Labour Party itself.

“The content of his letter, while not true, was designed to damage the party I lead. It was stupid and disloyal. His actions breached caucus rules and were calculated to damage the party and the leadership. This is unacceptable to me and my caucus.

“Chris Carter has no future in the Labour Party I lead.

“My decision to suspend Chris Carter comes just weeks after I offered him a chance to rehabilitate himself following issues around his frequent travel and excessive expenses.

“I gave Mr Carter a chance to work himself back into the fold.

“I gave Mr Carter the chance to get on with doing the work in the Conservation portfolio.

“Today there are no more chances.

“Chris Carter’s future in caucus has come to an end.”

ENDS

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