By 3news.co.nz and RadioLIVE staff
Phil Goff's leadership of the Labour Party is under renewed focus this morning in the wake of the police decision not to lay charges against former MP Darren Hughes after a three-month investigation.
Police said yesterday there is not enough evidence to proceed, but Mr Goff is out of the country at his son's wedding, and deputy leader Annette King was not in Parliament.
It was left to Trevor Mallard to voice Labour's reaction to the decision. He said the party would welcome Mr Hughes back as an MP some time in the future.
"I'm confident that the police have done a thorough investigation," says Mr Mallard, "that they have made that judgement, and I’m not going to second-guess the police."
Right-wing political commentator Matthew Hooten suggested Mr Hughes could even be considered a victim under the circumstances.
"I think there's some sympathy for
him, both because he's been forced out of Parliament because of his leader's
incompetence.
"There's also sympathy that the investigation
seems to have taken an awfully long time, and politicians can come back."
- Can Darren Hughes come back and how did Phil Goff handle the affair? RadioLIVE's Marcus Lush speaks with commentator Matthew Hooten about Darren Hughes' future - click the audio tab above.
Mr Mallard's performance impressed Mr Hooten, who told RadioLIVE's Marcus Lush this morning that he sees Mr Mallard as a potential Labour leader.
"The way Labour should have handled this is when the incident occurred he goes on gardening leave, they announce that there's been serious allegations, they say that he's not going to be in Parliament while this is being investigated.
"He would still be an MP today if Phil Goff hadn't bungled the whole thing from the beginning."
Another political commentator believes that if Mr Hughes had been up-front about his involvement in an alleged late night incident, he might still have his job.
Political scientist Dr Bryce Edwards from Otago University says Mr Goff should have stood down Mr Hughes when he first heard of the claims, instead of later accepting his resignation.
"I think that Darren Hughes will be seen as cleared by many people, but there will be enough people that have doubts about really for the rest of his… political career that will stop him from actually getting back in to the very heights of politics."
Dr Edwards says trying to cover-up the situation has damaged Mr Hughes' chances of a political comeback.
Mr Hughes is optimistic however.
"I feel that I still have much to offer and I am looking forward to the future with optimism," he said in a statement yesterday. "Whatever I do, I would like to continue to serve our community and our country… Nothing will ever be able to take away the pride and satisfaction I feel at having been able to make a contribution to public service."
3 News / RadioLIVE