Carter's career implodes after attack on Goff

Labour MP Chris Carter's career as an MP imploded spectacularly today with the blast hitting Labour and debris sticking to Phil Goff's leadership.

An urgent Caucus meeting was held this afternoon and a unanimous decision was made to eject Mr Carter over an unsigned letter he wrote aimed at undermining Mr Goff's leadership.

Speaking hours after his ejection from the party, Mr Carter said he was trying to get caucus to think about a leadership change.

"I no longer believe it's possible for him [Mr Goff] to win the election,'' he told reporters.

"I think I owe it to the people I represent and the people who voted for our party that we have a leader who can win the election.

"Look, Phil Goff is a very nice guy but he's just not going to win and his latest flip-flop over the tradeable fourth week... was the last straw for me.

"Yes I was attempting to get a momentum going where our caucus would think about a leadership change and I am hoping that my actions will cause some of my caucus colleagues to reflect on something [and] I think almost all of them would come to the conclusion: that nice as Phil is, he's just not going to win.''

Whether Mr Carter remains in the party has yet to be decided, but a by-election in his electorate of Te Atatu is possible should Mr Carter quit Parliament.

His single-page letter to selected Press Gallery political editors said union-based MPs would challenge Mr Goff over his "relaxed'' stance on Government plans to allow workers to cash in their fourth week of holiday which is against Labour policy.

Mr Goff immediately suspected Mr Carter because he recently demoted him for ongoing his excessive spending on travel, hotels and meals while a minister and in opposition.

Ironically, the latest release of credit card spending was made today.

"I wasn't prepared to make any allegation until there was evidence, it was clearly evident from the handwriting on the envelope that it was Mr Carter's handwriting, that he was also seen down at the messengers' room this morning at about that time.''

Mr Goff then confronted Mr Carter who initially denied but under further pressure confessed.

"It was stupid. It was disloyal. His actions... were calculated to damage the party and the leadership. That is unacceptable to me and my caucus,'' Mr Goff said.

"Chris Carter has no future in the Labour Party that I lead.''