Tauranga-based former NZ First list MP Brendan Horan returned to Parliament today after being kicked out of his party yesterday afternoon.
Brendan is reported to have attended a closed session of the Maori Affairs select committee at 9am, and he has been in talks with the Clerk of Parliament and Speaker Lockwood Smith.
Tauranga-based MP Brendan Horan and wife Miranda arrive at Wellington Airport today. Photo: TV3
Brendan's been away from Wellington for ten days on the advice of NZ First leader Winston Peters who told him to sort out claims he owed his mother's estate money.
After telling parliament yesterday that he was kicking Brendan out of the party, Winston said Brendan has a duty to resign from Parliament altogether.
In a statement from Brendan's laywer Paul Mabey QC Brendan says he has no intention of standing down as an MP.
'Mr Horan has no intention of leaving Parliament,” says his lawyer.
'He has no reason to do so. Mr Horan is the subject of unproven allegations which he completely denies. None of the allegations have ever been put to him directly nor has he shown any evidence to support them.”
Brendan hasn't seen the information that gave Winston Peters cause to fire him, and he heard about his expulsion from NZ First on the news, says Paul.
In Parliament, questions in the House and speaking slots in some debates are awarded on the basis of proportionality and New Zealand First can expect to lose some of its entitlements, as a result of the expulsion. Taxpayer funding for the party will also be affected.
The affair surfaced on November 25 with Brendan's brother, Mana Ormsby going public with allegations $85,000 is missing from their mother's account via a large number of withdrawals from TABs and from ATM machines near Mr Horan's office in Mount Maunganui, Auckland and Hamilton.
A codicil to the will requesting that after her death, the missing money be found and repaid, came at the same time the former executor, Brendan's sister, who had power of attorney, was removed. Brendan's mother Olwen Horan, 87, died of cancer in early August.
Read more about Brendan's expulsion from NZ First Party caucus here.
8 comments
ME MYSELF AND I
Posted on 05-12-2012 11:43 | By YOGI
Well the poor old taxpayers are still paying $140,000pa and a whole lot of extras to so best he do something. I guess he will get a pay rise now to as he can now nominate himself as a "leader" of a new party. He will be the leader of himself, what a challenge that will be ...
For how long I wonder?
Posted on 05-12-2012 12:13 | By The Sage
I would guess his return was under instructions from his solicitor. What good could he possibly do as an independent MP? There is also the question of credibility. Things could be a bit awkward at The Beehive.
MPs salaries pay well
Posted on 05-12-2012 14:12 | By Phailed
So of course they should be at "work." I wouldn't mind $140,000 a year plus allowances and travel etc. Not sure how that compares with weather readers salaries though. Also I've always wondered what you make running a gold-buying business.
He cannot continue...
Posted on 05-12-2012 16:17 | By wreck1080
He is only a list MP, now that he has lost favour with Winston Peters he should be honourable and go - regardless of innocence or guilt.
Resign
Posted on 06-12-2012 08:38 | By Planesailor
If Mr Horan can not fathom that using a tax payer funded cell phone to place bets is not "wrong", then he exhibits very poor judgement. National's Phil Heatly resigned for using the ministerial credit card for 2 bottles of wine. He resigned on the basis that he breached the high standards required of Member of Parliament. Or maybe Mr Horan is getting advice from Shane Jones for ticking up pay per view pornography courtesy of the tax payer and not resigning. Some lyrics spring to mind... "You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. Kow when to walk away, know when to run..." Good song to add to Horan's MC and entertainer repertoire.
Credibilty
Posted on 06-12-2012 15:00 | By Kaimai
12 calls to the TAB in 4 hours (as reported) on a Tuesday and Mr Horan doesn't see a problem - come on that's got to be misuse of a parliamentary 'phone and no way can Mr Horan be concentrating on his parliamentary responsibilities; but Mr Peters why is there nothing in NZ First rules obligating Mr Horan to resign from Parliament if he no longer holds the confidence of the NZ First leader - three crosses in my book.
DOESN'T ADD UP HERE
Posted on 11-12-2012 06:27 | By KAMIKAZE
He was never elected as an MP & his party has dumped him as a list MP so he has no business remaining in Parliament as an independent MP. There is no mandate for him to do that.On the TV programme I saw last evening I believe he said he was placing TAB bets for his elderly mother by phone while he was with her watching Trackside.I am at a loss to see how that works from Wellington or from the Turf Bar at the Mount. ?
Sign
Posted on 11-12-2012 07:33 | By ow
Can someone get a picture of Brendan holding a big "NO" sign ?
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