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Source: ONE News -
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Prime Minister John Key says the resignation of MP Richard Worth is a "sensible decision."
Worth announced his decision on Friday afternoon to immediately leave Parliament and end his political career.
Key says he was told of Worth's intentions on Friday afternoon and he believes it is a sensible course of action.
He says the decision gives the country a chance to move forward.
The decision gives the country an opportunity to move forward and focus on the issues that matter. There are important challenges facing New Zealand, and they will continue to have the Government's full attention.
Key says Auckland based Cam Calder is next on the party list and he looks forward to welcoming him to Parliament.
Calder is a qualified dentist and sports administrator, who served on the global body governing the sport of petanque. He has also been president of the French NZ Business Council.
He missed out on election night, when he was the last one "elected" off the National Party list, only to be shunted out by the Green Party when special votes were counted.
On Thursday, Key said he had "washed his hands of Worth."
The former Minister is subject to two complaints by two separate women, one of whom is Neelam Choudary, a very active and prominent member of the Labour Party in Auckland.
Worth is accused of sending sexually explicit text messages and phone calls to Choudary, who claims he also offered her government jobs. She has not laid a police complaint.
Labour reaction
Labour Leader Phil Goff says Worth's resignation was inevitable, and that it has also taken the heat off the Prime Minister.
Goff thinks it was the best decision to make and says he hopes it brings the whole sorry episode to an end.
Goff is also denying his party was involved in a dirty tricks campaign against Worth, which Worth was suggesting.
He says issues around one of the female complainants against Dr
Worth, Labour Party member Naleem Choudary, were brought into the
public arena by the Prime Minister.
