Chris Carter

By Maggie Tait of NZPA

Wellington, June 15 NZPA - Labour MP Chris Carter has issued a public apology 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.

Labour leader Phil Goff sent Mr Carter home after he got angry with media and refused to answer questions.

"I am not happy with his response, I've sent him home and I have asked him to think about his future," Mr Goff told reporters.

"I don't need the sort of circus that occurred after the caucus, that should not have happened."

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.

His handling of the affair was in sharp contrast to the openness of leader Phil Goff and other Labour MPs.

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

Mr Goff said after the messy media stand-up that situation could change.

"His position as conservation spokesperson and within the shadow cabinet is in doubt at this point," he said.

Now Mr Carter has issued a statement saying that it was clear an apology was required regarding his spending on travel while a minister.

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 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."

Mr Carter said 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."

Mr Goff would comment shortly whether the apology was enough to save Mr Carter from further demotion and allow him to retain his spokesman roles.

Prime Minister John Key earlier said Mr Carter's attitude was unsurprising.

"There is nothing new there is there. I mean that has been the pattern with Chris Carter over a long period of time."

Mr Key said Mr Goff should have demoted him more significantly from the get go. 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.