Garrett Quits ACT
Garrett Quits Parliament
BREAKING: Beleaguered ACT MP David Garrett says he has quit the party and is taking two weeks’ leave from Parliament.
The MP told Radio New Zealand at noon the revelations about his falsifying a passport using a dead child’s identity had been “a step too far” and he could not continue on as the party’s law and order spokesperson.
Garrett’s his political career was over as a result of his actions, “but that is not the worst”.
He said he had received letters written by the mother and sister of the dead boy and the media reports had opened old wounds for them.
Garrett said he was unsure whether he will stay on as an independent for the rest of his term or leave Parliament altogether.
Garrett became the center of a political scandal this week when reports surfaced of the hardline law and order campaigner’s criminal history, which included a conviction for assault in a Tongan court and the aforementioned identity theft.
Garrett was discharged without conviction for the identity theft in 2005, three years before he entered Parliament on ACT’s party list.
ENDS