Horan phone logs show frequent TAB calls

NewstalkZB has obtained a telephone log list racked up by sacked New Zealand First MP Brendan Horan on his taxpayer funded cellphone.

Our Political Editor Barry Soper says it shows Mr Horan made many calls to the TAB using their frequent caller line which allows regular gamblers instant access.

The phone log shows Mr Horan called the TAB in Auckland 13 times on a Saturday afternoon over a period of less than five hours.

It also shows other frequent calls to the same TAB line.

Mr Horan was sacked from his party after allegations made by his brother that he misappropriated money from his late mother's bank account to fund a gambling habit.

Meantime, Brendan Horan's new status as an independent MP has been formally confirmed in parliament today.

Mr Horan was expelled from the New Zealand First caucus yesterday.

Parliament's Speaker Lockwood Smith has told the house this afternoon Mr Horan is now classed as an independent MP.

"Allocations of funding to the New Zealand First party, and to Brendan Horan will also be adjusted."

Brendan Horan's expulsion from New Zealand First may lead to law changes that result in list MPs being kicked out of parliament if their party no longer wants them.

Concerns have been raised by a number of MPs about the lack of a law that means list MPs stay on.

Prime Minister John Key says the problem is ensuring MPs have been legitimately removed from their party, and that's why the law hasn't been fixed.

"I think it's wrong actually if a Member of Parliament comes in as a list MP, then is essentially thrown out by their party and remains in Parliament, because I don't actually think they have a mandate to stay there."

The Attorney General Chris Finlayson believes the old waka jumping law should be brought back which would see List MPs who've fallen foul of their party forced out of Parliament.

New Zealand First has sacked Brendan Horan but he says he'll be staying on as an MP.

Mr Finlayson says that shouldn't be the case.

"He's got a right under the law as it's currently constructed, but if I were him I'd be thinking very seriously about my future over the holidays."

But there is a measure of support for embattled MP Brendan Horan from the Maori Party.

Maori Party Co-Leader Tariana Turia thinks New Zealand First leader Winston Peters should have waited until after a formal inquiry before taking action against Mr Horan.

"I also think that most people are innocent until proven guilty."

Photo: Brendan Horan (Twitter)