One corrupt politician bites the dust
John
Banks to resign
Act
MP John Banks has confirmed he will resign from Parliament after
being found guilty of filing a false electoral return.
8
June, 2014
Banks
said in a statement this evening he would step down as MP for Epsom
on Friday.
"I
will write to the Speaker tomorrow advising him of my resignation,"
he said.
"This
timeframe allows a number of constituency, administrative and
staffing matters in Epsom and Wellington to be dealt with over the
next few days."
Banks
said it had been a privilege to serve the public.
"I
have given my heart and soul over four decades to making a worthwhile
contribution to this country. I have always endeavoured to do the
right thing. Consequently I am deeply saddened at this turn of
events."
He
would not comment further while the matter was still before the
court.
Banks
was found guilty this week of filing a false electoral return
relating to two $25,000 donations from Kim Dotcom for his 2010
campaign for the Auckland mayoralty.
If
Banks was convicted on August 1 when he was set to return to court he
would have been forced to resign from Parliament.
Prime
Minister John Key said Banks' resignation was "the right thing
to do under the circumstances".
Key
said that given the fact the general election was due to be held on
September 20, the Government would seek leave not to hold a
by-election in Bank's Epsom seat.
The
motion would be put forward the week after next, when MPs return from
a two-week recess. It will require the support of 75 per cent of the
House.
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