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Labour MP Darren Hughes last Wednesday stood down from his parliamentary responsibilities after it emerged police were investigating a sexual complaint laid by an 18-year old male Victoria University student. Mr Hughes has categorically denied any wrongdoing.
Hughes, the senior whip and Education spokesman for the Labour Party, was stood down by party leader Phil Goff after the allegations became public.

 
Police stated that they were investigating a complaint made by an 18-year old relating to an alleged incident in the early hours of the morning of March 2 at the home of Labour Deputy Leader Annette King, where Hughes stays when in Wellington.
 

Earlier that night Hughes had been a guest speaker at a Victoria University celebrity debate held as part of its Orientation Week events. After the debate Hughes, the complainant, and several others went out drinking at several Wellington bars, including Matterhorn and The Establishment.
 

Hughes then took the complainant back to King’s house where the incident was alleged to have occurred around 2am in the morning. Some sources have reported that the complainant ran from the house and flagged down a police car.

 
The allegations have derailed the career of Hughes, a highly regarded young MP pegged by many as a rising star in the Labour Party.
 

They have also cast doubts on the leadership of Goff, as it emerged that he knew of the allegations two weeks before they became public knowledge. However, Goff strongly defended his handling of the issue.

 
"When I first heard about the complaint that had been lodged against Darren Hughes, I made a judgment that it would be unhelpful for me to go public on that information.”
 

"Firstly, it would not help a police inquiry that was taking place, because there'd be a storm of controversy around it. Secondly, it would not help Darren Hughes himself, who is innocent until prove guilty and thirdly it would not help the complainant.
 

"I think that was the right judgment to make." 
 

The NZ Herald reported that the complainant was a “high achiever” who had been a Youth MP and competed in debating whilst at a “prominent boys college”. He is reported to have moved to Wellington to attend university.
 

As Critic went to print, further details of the incident were still coming to light.