Gaurav Sharma expelled from Labour caucus

August 23, 2022
Dr Gaurav Sharma outside Parliament

MP Gaurav Sharma has been expelled from Labour's caucus, he told media on Tuesday morning.

Sharma told media the party voted to expel him, saying there was 61 votes in favour, one person abstaining and one against.

"I got the chance to speak and then other members got the chance to speak," he said.

Sharma has been expelled from Labour and is now an independent MP while there is no support for his call for an independent inquiry. (Source: 1News)

"Finally there was a vote.

The renegade MP says there were 61 votes in favour of expelling him, one abstention and one vote against. (Source: 1News)

"The difficult bit was when we were in the room no one really wanted to talk about how we were arrived at that point.

"All want is an independent investigation. Nothing more, nothing less. I haven't said anyone should get fired or heads should roll, all I'm saying is let's look at the facts, black and white."

He said he needed time to think about whether he wanted to stay on as an independent MP.

"My focus remains, on the fact, why would you not do an independent investigation."

Shortly after, Labour leader Jacinda Ardern released a statement saying the expulsion was effective immediately.

"The Caucus also voted to refer the matter to the New Zealand Council of the Labour Party for them to consider any further disciplinary action.

"His consistent and ongoing breach of the caucus rules has resulted in the complete loss of trust by his fellow Labour MPs," she said.

Ardern said the "root cause ... was multiple members of Gaurav’s staff raising issues with his management".

"There are definitely things to be learned from this episode, but none of it justifies the recent behaviour of Gaurav."

"The decision means Dr Sharma will no longer receive support from the parliamentary party or have access to or participate in caucus in any way. He will have the right to attend any select committee, but will not be a member of one."

It comes after Sharma made claims of bullying from within the party. Labour has consistently denied this and said it was an employment matter coming from Sharma's office.

He was put on notice last week after the caucus unanimously suspended him over a lack of trust.

A few days later, Sharma sat down for numerous interviews, reiterating his claims.

Timeline

August 11: The first-term MP for Hamilton West released an opinion piece published in NZHerald, and wrote that the constituents who elected MPs "would be appalled if they saw even half of what their elected representatives have to bear in terms of harassment from inside the Parliament”.

August 12: The MP published a 2600-word Facebook post detailing more grievances and other allegations about his time in Parliament.

August 15: Sharma posted new allegations and images on Facebook at the time Ardern was holding her weekly media conference.

August 16: Minutes after the caucus meeting over Sharma began, he text media saying Labour met without him. The Prime Minister announced Sharma's suspension from caucus.

August 17: The Prime Minister said she and Sharma had not spoken since his suspension. When asked if she or anyone in the party knew his whereabouts, Ardern said that "without disclosing details that will be private to members of the team.. we certainly have made every effort to make sure there is support there and of course we're available".

SHARE ME

More Stories