Chris Carter

By Maggie Tait of NZPA

Wellington, June 15 NZPA - Labour MP Chris Carter's apology this afternoon -- after a sharp reprimand from leader Phil Goff for how he talked to news media -- has saved him from further demotion within the party.

Mr Carter issued a public apology this afternoon after scoring a massive own goal this morning, mishandling his response to demotion over the credit card expenses scandal.

Mr Carter said his apology was unreserved, and he had been under pressure.

"This has been a very difficult time for me and it has been difficult to choose the right words to be said when under intense pressure from journalists.

"I acknowledge that my temperament when under pressure can make me appear as if I am not contrite or embarrassed. I assure the New Zealand public I am."

Labour leader Phil Goff said he accepted the apology and Mr Carter would retain his new conservation spokesman role, which he was given after being stripped of foreign affairs, as well as his existing ethnic affairs portfolio.

He said the apology was a minimum step.

"He now has to prove himself to me."

This morning other offenders, a humble and emotional Shane Jones and a frank Mita Ririnui, fronted and answered questions on their way into Labour's caucus meeting but Mr Carter arrived early to avoid facing the same scrutiny.

After an hour-and-a-half he finally emerged to tersely issue a statement, refused to answer questions, then retreated to his office not responding to journalists trailing behind.

Mr Carter was demoted from seven to 13 in the party rankings and lost foreign affairs, but was given conservation and retained ethnic affairs so fared better than Mr Jones or Mr Ririnui who lost their portfolios.

Mr Carter was repeatedly warned about his credit card use, but was still caught misusing it. He paid for flowers, movies and spa treatments in hotels, repaid some money and said he would reimburse any other wrongful spending discovered.

However, Mr Goff said rather than the breaches he was concerned about the ongoing excessive travel, often with his partner, which was technically within the rules.

"If it was about flowers then Gerry Brownlee, and Georgina te Heuheu and Pita Sharples and others would face similar sanctions that I have imposed on my members. It's about the perception of using travel too often, and spending too much and taking your partner with you too often."

The fact that Mr Carter's travel was signed off by Cabinet in Helen Clark's government was a defence for him, Mr Goff said, adding that perhaps he should have been told more to rein it in.

"What I am saying is that times have changed, I think there are higher expectations, there is greater transparency and people have got to rise to the standards that are expected of them... He has been given the opportunity to prove himself, I think he's made a bad start."

In contrast Mr Goff said Mr Jones had made a good start in winning back his confidence.

"There is a clear difference in how the two have responded. Shane's taken it on the chin. He's taken a heavy blow but he will be on his feet in due course I believe."

Mr Goff said how long Mr Carter would be on leave, with David Parker looking after conservation in the meantime, was undecided but when he returned Mr Carter would be expected to answer media questions.

"I want him to front up and I want him to be in a proper state of mind when he does that... I think you saw the stress that he was under this morning, I regret that.

"I've told him he is on leave at my insistence for however long it takes. I expect when he comes back he will have thought through the consequences of his actions and I expect to see a different behaviour."

Prime Minister John Key earlier said Mr Carter's attitude was unsurprising and the punishment he received was minor. He said it was all very well for leaders to speak for MPs, but MPs needed to front up themselves in situations such as this.

Mr Carter's cellphone went to messages when NZPA called.