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Richard Worth - Source: ONE News -
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National list MP Richard Worth is laying low after resigning from his cabinet post on Wednesday.
He is unable to be contacted through is office and cell phone and is on two weeks leave from Parliament following revelations that police have launched an investigation into an allegation against him.
There is no sign of him at his Auckland home either when ONE News visited on Wednesday morning.
Police won't say what the allegation is but it's described as a criminal matter relating to his private life.
They confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that a complaint was made in Auckland two weeks ago and related to a recent alleged incident.
Preliminary enquiries were made before the complaint was transferred to Wellington CIB for further investigation they say.
ONE News political editor Guyon Espiner says the allegations are reported to be of a sexual nature.
Prime Minister John Key says if Worth had not resigned he would have sacked him.
On Wednesday afternoon, Key revealed he has on a separate occasion investigated Worth for allegedly harassing women.
"I've had previous allegations made, and I've investigated those and I was satisfied with the answers received," says Key.
While Worth has only quit his Cabinet portfolio, Key suggests the list MP should also be considering whether he has a future in Parliament.
"Irrelevant of what may occur I no longer have confidence in him," says Key.
Meanwhile, the opposition is demanding full accountability from the government over the matter.
Labour Leader Phil Goff pressed Key for answers about the exact accusations levelled against Worth on Wednesday afternoon.
But Key didn't elaborate saying he's not at liberty to disclose the information.
Goff says the specific nature of the allegation made should be made public.
He says the high public office formerly held by Worth is sufficient to justify an explanation being given to the public and says when you're in public office you can't hide behind secrecy and non-disclosure.
Worth has previously been in hot water following conflict of interest allegations over his private and personal business but in a statement issued on Wednesday morning, Worth said he was resigning for personal reasons.
Worth's portfolios also include Minister for Land Information
and Associate Minister of Justice and all of his ministerial
responsibilities will be temporarily transferred to Maurice
Williamson.
Richard Worth - Should he stay or should he go? Have your say on our message board below:
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Post new commentkiaora said on 2009-06-03 @ 18:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
Until we know why he resigned we can't comment on his future.