Campaign woes for Foulkes jnr

Alex Foulkes, the academic son of Scots Labour stalwart Lord George Foulkes, is reported to be involved in a row that is rocking the New Zealand Labour Party.

According to a local paper, Foulkes jnr has been accused of "drinking and aggression towards branch members and harassing people with early-morning phone calls" during a campaign to be elected chairman of the party's branch in Princes Street, Auckland. As result, he has been suspended from the party's e-mail list, denied access to the branch membership to campaign, and - worst of all - barred from the Auckland University pub.

Young Alex vehemently protests his innocence and, according to the newspaper, even claims his home is being watched by agents from the New Zealand intelligence agencies.

In that regard, at least, his father may be able to help. Lord Foulkes is a member of parliament's intelligence and security committee and has privileged access to all sorts of sensitive secrets.