Hughes wants to continue to serve the community

Former Labour list MP Darren Hughes says he always believed his name would be cleared of sexual assault allegations and he wants to continue to serve the community.

Police today announced they would not be pressing charges against Mr Hughes after completing their investigation into sexual assault allegations brought by an 18-year-old university student.

The student alleged Mr Hughes sexually assaulted him at the Hataitai home of Labour deputy leader Annette King in March.

Mr Hughes, 32, resigned as Labour's whip and then as an MP amid the allegations.

Police today said their investigation had been thorough but the evidence did not meet the threshold required to bring charges.

Mr Hughes said in a statement this afternoon that being falsely accused of a serious crime had been one of the most challenging experiences of his life.

"However, I held strong to the belief that I had done nothing wrong and that being truthful would see my name cleared," he said.

"I have always had full confidence that our independent legal processes would lead to the right outcome and the police's decision shows that such confidence was well-placed."

Mr Hughes did not indicate a possible return to politics, but said he wanted to continue serving the community.

"I feel that I still have much to offer and I am looking forward to the future with optimism," he said.

"Whatever I do, I would like to continue to serve our community and our country. But there's plenty of time."

He said resigning from his parliamentary career, which he had devoted his life to, was a "very high price to pay", but frenzied media attention had left him with no choice.

"Given the important issues facing the country in the coming election, I was not prepared to allow this matter, and the intense media interest and speculation it provoked, to distract attention from the Labour Party and the promotion of our policies in this important election year."

Mr Hughes said he was enormously grateful to the people who had lent him support including family, friends and colleagues from all political persuasions.

He said he had loved every day of his parliamentary career.

"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."

He would take time to consider his plans for the future and would not make any further public comment, he said.

Wellington District field crime manager Detective Inspector Mike Johnson today said evidence had been properly considered, both internally and by the Crown Solicitor's Office in Wellington.

"After this careful consideration, the allegations do not reach the evidential threshold required to bring charges," Mr Johnson said.

"As a result, no charges will be brought against Mr Hughes."

Some media organisations had received an anonymous letter about Mr Hughes while police were investigating the complaint, he said.

"I can confirm those allegations contained in the letter have been investigated and there were no matters which arose that required police attention."

Mr Johnson said it would be inappropriate to comment further, given the investigation had now been completed and Mr Hughes was not facing any charges.

"I am also mindful of respecting the privacy of the individuals concerned."