Discredited MP David Garrett will reportedly resign his seat in Parliament tomorrow, after last week quitting the ACT Party over revelations he acquired a passport in 1984 using a dead child's identity.Mr Garrett -- a list MP -- in recent days has indicat
Discredited MP David Garrett will reportedly resign his seat in Parliament tomorrow, after last week quitting the ACT Party over revelations he acquired a passport in 1984 using a dead child's identity.
Mr Garrett -- a list MP -- in recent days has indicated that he won't stay on as an independent MP but is yet to formally announce his decision.
However Radio New Zealand, which Mr Garrett used to announce his resignation from ACT, is reporting that he will now step down altogether.
That will please ACT leader Rodney Hide, who yesterday said he believed Mr Garrett would resign as he would not want to be in the same position as Chris Carter, who is in limbo after being ousted from the Labour Party caucus.
"And I've said to him, 'look David, the people of New Zealand voted for five ACT MPs, that's what we need'. Obviously that's his decision."
Mr Hide said he did not think that the power balance in the party would swing against him should next on the ACT list Hilary Calvert enter Parliament. ACT MPs Heather Roy and Sir Roger Douglas have been linked with coup talk recently, while Mr Garrett had supported Mr Hide.
ACT deputy leader John Boscawen said he had no plans to challenge Mr Hide.
"I think he's doing a great job."
Sir Roger said there had been no discussion of leadership at yesterday's caucus.
ACT did not reach the 5 percent MMP threshold needed to win a seat without taking an electorate at the 2008 election. It is in Parliament because Mr Hide won the Epsom electorate.
