Field out in cold after raid

Prime Minister Helen Clark says Taito Philip Field must "consider his future" and yesterday gave a clear signal that the beleaguered MP no longer had the support of his party, in the wake of police raids on his offices in Parliament and Mangere.

"I think I've made it pretty clear that Philip Field needs to consider his future ... There's some issues to be worked through in Mangere," she told TVNZ's Agenda programme yesterday.

However, asked about cutting him loose, she said it was "difficult" as he was innocent until proven guilty.

"There's a police investigation going on, it must go on untrammelled, the police must do their work then there'll be decisions by all concerned to make.

"There's been very clear statements about the need to consider [his] future from the major affiliate of the Labour Party which carries significant influence," she said, referring to calls from the Engineers, Printing and Manufacturing Union for him to go.

"I think people can see the direction it's going in but right now the police must do their job and quite a lot will hang on that."

Field is holidaying in Vanuatu, where his lawyer Simitava Perese said he was trying to escape media attention, as police raided his offices in Parliament and Mangere, and his home. The raid is part of a probe into claims he exchanged immigration assistance for cheap labour to illegal overstayers.

Helen Clark's comments came during the Labour Party conference, where visiting Queensland Premier Peter Beattie advised jettisoning rebellious MPs.

Clark paid special tribute to her husband Peter Davis, saying he was the most special person in her life.