Labour would welcome Hughes back

Shadow leader of house, Labour MP Trevor Mallard, hopes former MP Darren Hughes has a future in the Labour Party.

But he would not be drawn on what sort of role that might be or when that might happen.

Mr Mallard said this afternoon he welcomed news that police would not be taking further action against Mr Hughes.

It would be his advice to Mr Hughes that he should take the opportunity of some time and space to rebuild his life, Mr Mallard said.

Whether that involved parliament would be up to him, he said

“Frankly, that would be a big call, given the way he's been treated.”

He had no idea what Mr Hughes might do in the future. It was not a subject Mr Hughes had discussed with him.

“The message I got was that he wanted to be absolutely focussed on clearing his name. He has done that.”

Mr Hughes still had plenty to offer the Labour Party, he said.

“The guy is exceptionally talented. He's a real loss.”

Resigning from parliament at the time the police announced their inquiry was the right thing for Mr Hughes to do, he said.

“If I was Darren, I would not want to spend time here at the moment.”

Mr Mallard did not know which, if any, Labour MPs were spoken to by police, but he was not.

Colin Williscroft
Wed, 08 Jun 2011