Disgraced MP’s profile low

Disgraced Clutha-Southland member of Parliament Hamish Walker and his party’s regional chairwoman remain incommunicado as nominations for the electorate, renamed Southland after boundary changes, close today.

Mr Walker was not at his Queenstown home yesterday, and a sign at his electorate office in Frankton says he is on annual leave until Monday.

National Party Southern regional chairwoman Rachel Bird did not respond to messages requesting an interview yesterday.

A Wellington-based party spokesman told the Otago Daily Times last week a replacement for Mr Walker as its candidate in September’s election would be chosen by the end of the month in an expedited selection process.