Had exactly the same problem. If you remove the panel from bottom on back you will see the pump in the bottom right corner. Coming from that is a black pipe ending up on the bottom of the drum all connected with jubilee clips. If you take this off the filter is inside (nicly hidden by Hotpoint :) ). If you clean all this out and re-assemble you should be good to go.
M@TT, May 2008
if machine is not pumping out the water, first thing to check the sump to pump hose, take off small pannel at rear to access.
