In a further setback for the government before the general elections in October, further Zealand’s justice minister resigned on Monday after being charged in connection with a car accident.
Announcing her resignation “immediately,” Kiritapu ‘Kiri’ Allan said that her position was now “untenable” and that she had informed Prime Minister Chris Hipkins of this.
The prime minister said that the justice minister was charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle and refusing to follow a police officer following the collision late on Sunday.
Allan received an infringement notice from the police as well for returning a breath test result that was beyond the legal limit, according to Hipkins. Following the collision, the minister was momentarily detained by the police.
There were no immediate updates on the collision’s specifics.
Since Hipkins took over as prime minister in January, the center-left government he leads has lost four ministers, including Allan.
Election day in New Zealand is October 14.
This month’s opinion surveys place Hipkins’ Labour administration barely behind the National Party, a center-right opposition party.
Hipkins informed Allan that he didn’t think she was in a state where she could serve as a minister.
