WELLINGTON: The ACT Party stunned political pundits today by making a public announcement, implying the political party was still active.

ACT Leader Rodney Hide managed to keep a straight face throughout the announcement of his new deputy, some guy called John Bescowan, but it was obvious to all that the announcement was no more than a desperate attempt to keep the party in the spotlight.

"I thought they had given up the Ghost," said Parliamentary reporter John Rose after the poorly attended press conference in the staff cafeteria at Bowen House.

"I have to admit I had seen the guy they named as Deputy around the house a few times, but I just thought he was plain clothes detective.  Who would have thought he was an MP."