Goff arrives for first post-Hughes Labour meeting

Labour leader Phil Goff arrived with David Cunliffe. Photo / Craig Baxter

Labour leader Phil Goff has arrived with David Cunliffe for a meeting of Labour's 11 front bench MPs, at Otago University.

The meeting is Labour's first since the Darren Hughes scandal.

Mr Goff has faced intense scrutiny over his handling of the situation, including questions about his leadership, but today his colleagues were refusing to say what they would be raising with Mr Goff or whether they expected heated discussion.

Asked if he would have dealt with the issue in the same way as Mr Goff if he led the party, Mr Cunliffe said he was "delighted to say I'm not the leader of the Labour Party" and Mr Goff had his full support.

He said any issues he had would be raised "inside the room, not outside it."

Charles Chauvel said his comments were for his colleagues, not the media. He refused to comment when asked if he agreed with Mr Goff's handling of it.

Asked if he expected heated discussion he said: "We'll just have to see."

Trevor Mallard, Maryan Street and deputy leader Annette King all refused to say what their messages to their leader would be.

David Parker said Mr Goff had his confidence. Asked if he expected questions to be asked about the Hughes issue, Mr Parker said it was going to be a "firestorm" regardless of how it was handled.

He also criticised media for running stories about leadership coup rumours, saying there was never a move against Goff planned and the rumours were seeded by Labour's opponents.

Mr Goff said he expected "informed" discussion. The caucus would discuss other issues including earthquake recovery and the economy.