New Zealand politician quits parliament after sexting scandal rocks opposition

Andrew Falloon abruptly resigned from parliament on Tuesday after being accused of sending sexually explicit images to women and lying about it to both police and his National Party leader Judith Collins.

Falloon announced he was quitting parliament immediately, a day after had sent a statement saying he would retire from politics at the upcoming September election, citing mental health issues and recent unspecified “mistakes”.

Collins told Radio New Zealand she had asked for his resignation and that while she had not seen the image, she understood it was of a female and “entirely inappropriate and a disgrace”.

In Monday’s statement, Falloon said he was dealing with the recent suicide of a friend. “I have made a number of mistakes and I apologise to those who have been affected,” he said, without addressing the specific allegations.