New Zealand legislator resigns as police probe teen's sex complaint

Mar 25, 2011, 5:44 GMT

Wellington - An opposition member of the New Zealand Parliament, Darren Hughes, 32, announced his resignation Friday as police investigated a complaint against him laid by an 18-year-old man.

Media reports said the complaint was 'of a sexual nature' and allegedly involved an early morning incident on March 2 at the Wellington suburban house where Hughes lived after they had been drinking with others at two city bars.

Hughes, who was the youngest member of Parliament when elected in 2002 at the age of 24, was seen as a rising star in the Labour Party and was its eighth-ranked legislator.

Hughes insisted he had not committed an offence but said his position as a member of Parliament had become untenable.

The police investigation is continuing and he has not been arrested or charged.

Labour leader Phil Goff said, '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.

'In reaching that decision he is adamant that he has committed no offence.

'He needs to focus on clearing his name. I agree this is the right decision.'

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