Brendan Horan expelled

Breaking news: Winston Peters has just told Parliament that he has no confidence in NZ First MP Brendan Horan, and that Mr Horan has been expelled from the NZ First caucus. Peters believes that Brendan Horan should resign from Parliament.

Stand by for reactions...

UPDATE: Here is Winston Peters' statement to the House this afternoon:

And Mr Horan's lawyers have released a statement; the Herald reports:

Earlier today, Mr Horan's lawyers issued a statement on his behalf, saying he rejected any suggestion he had misappropriated money and was confident a full investigation would exonerate him.

The suspension does not mean Mr Horan has to leave Parliament. He can stay on as an independent MP. Mr Peters said he believed Mr Horan was honour bound to leave Parliament altogether.

The statement from Mr Horan's lawyer Paul Mabey, QC, today said various issues had arisen concerning the administration of his mother's estate as a result of her death.

"Those matters are private and personal to the family. Unfortunately some persons, for their own reasons, have chosen to make them public.

"Mr Horan has been the subject of unwarranted and unfair publicity which has implied that he is dishonest and has stolen from his mother. There can be no other interpretation of that publicity,'' the statement said.

"Mr Horan completely denied any suggestion that he has stolen from his mother or misappropriated her money or assets. He regrets that a private and personal family matter has been made public and his only wish is that the issues concerning his mother's estate are resolved quickly and properly. He invites any investigation into his mother's affairs and is confident that any proper investigation will exonerate him entirely.''

 It would seem that there is currently an impasse. Time will tell whether or not that impasse can be resolved.