The battle lines are being drawn in the Labour Party.

Disgraced MP Chris Carter is accusing some of his colleagues of spinning and trying to drawn attention away from his claims that Phil Goff can not win the next election. They have raised a secret trip he made to China and Tibet a few weeks ago, which Mr Carter says was paid for by the Chinese. He says he kept it secret because Labour's deputy leader Annette King told him to.

Mrs King denies that saying it is totally untrue and she is sad Mr Carter is making the claim. She says no MP leaves the country without first clearing it with her and the party's whips.

Mrs King is adamant Mr Carter did not ask for leave.