Mon 2 Aug 2010 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Chris Carter at Friday night's Gaba auction Embattled gay Labour MP Chris Carter is unwell and has been placed on leave for two months. Party president Andrew Little has released a statement saying the Te Atatu MP is getting the help he needs. Carter appeared to be very tired when he attended the Gay Auckland Business Association's charity auction on Friday night and there has been increasing speculation about his health. The longtime MP's fate in the party in the wake of the 'coup' letters he sent members of Parliament's press gallery, was to be decided this Saturday. That is now likely to be put on hold, as Little says Labour Party rules state Carter needs the opportunity to be heard before any disciplinary action is taken. “He will not be able to do that on Saturday because he is unwell,” Little says. “This is a serious matter that will be dealt with but it must be carried out in accordance with Labour's rules.” Little says all issues surrounding Carter's conduct will still be discussed by the party's ruling council this weekend. GayNZ.com has received no response to its attempts in recent weeks to speak to Carter over the credit card spending issue and the 'coup' letters. His partner Peter Kaiser is not commenting tonight, simply saying "we've got each other".
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 2nd August 2010 - 6:37pm