New Zealand Member of Parliament resigns amid teen's sex complaint

New Zealand Member of Parliament resigns amid teen's sex complaint

2011-03-25 15:18:05 GMT+7 (ICT)

WELLINGTON (BNO NEWS) -- An opposition member of the New Zealand Parliament resigned on Friday while police are investigating an unspecified complaint against him, reportedly of a sexual nature.

Labour Leader Phil Goff said that Darren Hughes, 32, had advised him that he will be resigning from Parliament. "Events of the past few days have made it increasingly clear to Darren that the controversy around the allegations made against him has made it impossible to carry out his duties," he said.

Goff said that Hughes insists he has committed no offense, even though few details about the complaint have been released. New Zealand media report that the complaint is of a sexual nature and that it involves an 18-year-old teenager.

"He needs to focus on clearing his name. I agree this is the right decision," Goff said. "It is important that the police are able to conclude their investigation without interference."

A police statement released earlier this week said the alleged incident occurred in an inner city suburb of Wellington on March 2. "Enquiries into the matter are continuing but Police are not seeking any assistance from the public at this stage," said Wellington District Field Crime Manager Detective Inspector Mike Johnson.

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