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Helen Clark must be frustrated at the continuing media attention being generated by Taito Phillip Field. After weeks of questioning in the House the issue will still not burn out and Labour is being forced into increasing - rather than decreasing - damage control.

Clark's language around the issue has changed. This Newsroom article dating from the report's release shows Clark softening the blow and talking around Field's return to cabinet.

Standing alongside Mr Field, Miss Clark said he had work to do to regain his portfolios but she had seen people work their way back before. ... Miss Clark defended the lack of further repercussions for Mr Field, who lost his ministerial job after the election. Mr Field was no longer a minister, she argued ... Miss Clark accepted that the report raised issues of judgement and she said these would be worked through.

Compare that to more recent language where Clark said Field had been "punished" and "humiliated". She also forced Field to apologize something she did not do immediately the report was released. It is obvious National's attacks are slowly wearing down Labour, illustrated by media rumours that the issue was to be discussed in caucus this week at the insistence of backbenchers.

Following on from the David Benson-Pope and David Parker incidents earlier in the year, it is another expensive exercise in spending political capital for Clark and her cabinet. While Field did not have the public profile for his behaviour to prove fatal, it adds to National's painting of Labour has corrupted by power.