KEY POINTS:
Labour MP David Benson-Pope says he would consider standing for another party if he was approached.
Mr Benson-Pope holds the safe Labour seat of Dunedin South but lost a tight selection battle for this year's election after he had to resign from the Cabinet.
Labour's candidate is Clare Curran, and the Otago Daily Times reported this week there were rumours that Mr Benson-Pope was preparing for a tilt at the seat as an independent.
Mr Benson-Pope had refused to categorically rule out standing as an independent, only saying that he is loyal to Labour.
But today he said he would consider standing for another party if approached.
Asked in an interview on Radio Dunedin if he would consider standing for New Zealand First or the Greens, he said: "I would think about it, if it were to happen, but I don't know how long I would think about it."
Asked if he could rule out standing as an independent, Mr Benson-Pope sidestepped the question.
"The ... headline this morning said that I haven't ruled it out, but I haven't ruled it in either. In fact I haven't said anything and that's the way I'm going to stay.
"The statements about the party vote, I've made them for years and I'll continue to make them."
The ODT reported Mr Benson-Pope has been telling people in the electorate that under MMP they could vote for Labour with their party vote, but give their candidate vote to anyone they chose.
- NZPA
