Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay has returned to Parliament today after laying low following the controversy over the allegation he secretly recorded one of his electorate staffers in the Gore office.
Todd Barclay returns to Parliament on July 25 following controversy around his Southland electorate office. Photo: RNZ / Demelza Leslie
Mr Barclay was spotted on his way to work early this morning. Police recently launched a fresh investigation into the allegation, after new information came to light through the media.
The MP announced last month he would not seek re-election in September. Since then he has rarely been seen in public and has declined to answer media queries.
Nominations for National Party candidates to replace Mr Barclay in Clutha-Southland closed a week ago but the party will not confirm the number of nominees, or any names, until the final selection meeting in August.
Mr Barclay - deputy chair of the education, science and primary production select committees - is still receiving his $165,000-a-year MP's salary. The Taxpayers Union had said Mr Barclay chose not to resign, and if he wanted to continue to collect his salary then he must turn up to work.