UPDATED 2pm: The probability that a Labour List MP will resign from Parliament ahead of the election has leapt to 47% from just 15% last week and went as high as 70% overnight, according this week's snapshot from New Zealand's prediction market iP
UPDATED 2pm: The probability that a Labour List MP will resign from Parliament ahead of the election has leapt to 47% from just 15% last week and went as high as 70% overnight, according this week’s snapshot from New Zealand’s prediction market iPredict.
Futher details have emerged about the incident in the early hours of March 2, including that it reportedly took place in the Central Wellington house Mr Hughes shares with fellow Labour MP Annette King.
Mr Hughes, the 18-year-old male and others were at the house following a Victoria University debate and night out drinking.
Police took items from the house after executing a search warrant.
UPDATE 10am: Mr Hughes has taken leave from parliament, Labour Party press secretaries have told NBR.
He will not return until the police investigation concludes.
Wellington police said the incident involving the Labour MP happened at an inner city suburb in the early hours of March 2.
"I have done nothing wrong"
In a statement forwarded to NBR, Mr Hughes said, "I have done nothing wrong and I have full confidence that the legal processes will lead to the right outcome.
"I fully appreciate that the Police need to look into the matter properly, and until they have completed their work I will not be making any further statement."
UPDATE 9am: Labour MP Darren Hughes has confirmed he is the subject of a police investigation.
Mr Hughes issued a statement this morning saying a police complaint had been laid against him. He was cooperating fully with police.
“I am aware a complaint has been made to police and I am cooperating fully with them. I've done nothing wrong and I have full confidence that the legal processes will lead to the right outcome,” Mr Hughes said.
He had decided to name himself “because I think it is unfair that my colleagues should be subjected to speculation and suspicion.”
Mr Hughes did not speak to the identity of the complainant, but he is understood to be an 18-year-old male with links to the Labour Party.
Now a Labour list MP, Mr Hughes is Labour's chief whip and education spokesman. When originally elected as MP for Otaki, at age 24 in 2002, he was the country's youngest MP.
Earlier today, the Labour Party was avoiding questions on allegations one of its senior MPs is the subject of a police investigation.
The allegations concern a late-night incident in which the complainant is understood to be a young man, it was reported this morning.
Labour press secretaries would not comment, or confirm or deny there had been a complaint, when contacted by media.
Police are said to have interviewed a number of people about the incident.
