Labour leader David Cunliffe says John Tamihere has a "snowflake's" chance of becoming a Labour candidate for the next election.
Labour general secretary Tim Barnett took the unusual step yesterday of issuing a press statement to say that Mr Tamihere was no longer a member of the party because he had not renewed his 2013 membership.
Mr Tamihere, a Labour MP from 1999 to 2005, has been rumoured to be considering a return to politics.
He is at present a talkback host on Radio Live - although he and talkback partner Willie Jackson are on leave until next year after causing great upset last week over their interview with a young woman who had knowledge of the so-called Roast Busters sex gang.
Asked about Mr Tamihere's membership today at Parliament, Mr Cunliffe said it was a matter for the party.
