It remains a national scandal that H2 - as Simpson is commonly known - was lucky to escape criminal charges in the first place, after a gutless police force refused to take action against her for alleged breaches of the Electoral Act. It is no accident that Cullen fronted for Labour in Parliament this week taking the heat for Clark while she stayed in Auckland safe from the penetrating questions of her political opponents and experienced press gallery journalists, who have followed every twist of this affair. Cullen is relatively untouched and would be best placed as a transitional prime minister if Clark's colleagues decide she will not have sufficient credibility to lead Labour into the 2008 election.

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This affair exposes the fact that Labour has forgotten its moral footing. Seven years ago Clark rode to power on the back of an "anti-sleaze" campaign against a tired National Government.

Helengrad has loftily held itself above others when touched by the hint of scandal - aided by a police force that cuts it slack - but takes legal actions against its opponents on the most trivial pretexts.