‘Missing’ MP resurfaces

Beleaguered Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay has resurfaced after avoiding public interviews for almost a month.

Barclay resigned in June following revelations he secretly taped a staffer, but is still sitting on a $170,000 parliamentary salary until the election in September.

Since then questions have been raised about what he has been doing in the electorate while he continues to be paid with public funds.

Yesterday, he posted on his Facebook page that he is still working on constituent issues.

Barclay, who could not be reached for comment, said in a statement to Seven Sharp he would return to Parliament next week.

‘‘Contrary to recent speculation, I will be returning to Wellington,’’ he said in the statement.

‘‘As the outgoing MP, I won’t be attending public events or publicising my movements in the way I previously would as there will be a new candidate soon and that will be their role.

‘‘I put my life and everything I had into this role, but we are now going through a transition of selecting a new candidate, who I hope will give just as much of themself to the role as what I did.’’

Barclay has hardly been seen since his resignation on June 21, apart from a sighting at Queenstown’s Pig and Whistle last week. ❚ At least three people are confirmed contenders to replace Barclay as the National Party candidate in Clutha-Southland.

Nominations for the position closed yesterday.

Federated Farmers Southland president Allan Baird, former Dunedin South National candidate Hamish Walker and Gore district councillor Nicky Davis all confirmed they had submitted their paperwork before the noon deadline.

A maximum of five nominees can run for the candidacy.