Trevor Mallard stands up for Collins

Judith Collins has had some support from an unexpected place - the other side of the House. Photo / NZ Herald

Former minister Judith Collins is getting sympathy from unlikely places after she was denied the title "The Honourable" by Prime Minister John Key.

Labour MP Trevor Mallard stood up for Mrs Collins yesterday, saying Mr Key had shown prejudice in not granting her the title while she was being investigated for her links to blogger Cameron Slater.

Former ministers were usually allowed to call themselves "The Honourable" for life, though the honorific is granted at the discretion of the Prime Minister.

View: Guy Body's cartoon on Collins' 'honourable' loss

Mr Mallard, whom Mrs Collins once took defamation action against, said the former Justice Minister had been unfairly treated.

"It does show what I would describe as extreme prejudice," he said, saying that former ministers had previously only been denied the title if they had been criminally charged.

"I don't know of any other cases where people have not been convicted and they've not received 'The Honourable'."

National ministers Richard Worth and Pansy Wong both kept their titles after being sacked. Mr Mallard said the decision could indicate the Prime Minister had evidence the inquiry would find Mrs Collins guilty of wrongdoing.