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Chris Carter Suspended for 'Goff Leadership Challenge' Letter

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Labour MP Chris Carter has been suspended and expelled from Labour's caucus for distributing an anonymous letter attacking Phil Goff's leadership.

The letter was delivered to press gallery offices and said union-based MPs wanted to challenge Goff for backing parts of John Key's labour law reforms, and that MP George Hawkins was threatening a by-election due to facing a challenge from a union candidate.

Radio New Zealand reported this afternoon that Goff recognised Carter's handwriting on the envelope and confronted Carter about it.

Carter was also seen delivering letters to the Parliamentary messenger's office.

Carter initially denied its authorship but admitted it under further pressure.

Goff said in a press conference this afternoon Carter has been suspended from caucus and will possibly be expelled from the party when its council meets next fortnight.

"Chris Carter has no future in the party I lead,” Goff said.

Carter first entered Parliament representing Te Atatu in 1993 and had served as a Labour minister and spokesperson since 2002.

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• Chris Carter sent leadership challenge letter - Story - Politics - 3 News


• Patrick Gower (patrickgowernz) on Twitter


• Goff's Post-caucus statement


• Trevor Mallard discusses the caucus decision on Labour's Red Alert blog

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