New Zealand’s justice minister has resigned after she crashed into a parked car while reportedly over the legal alcohol limit.
Kiri Allan has been charged by police with careless driving and refusing to accompany a police officer following the incident, which is understood to have happened in the country’s capital, Wellington, shortly after 9pm local time on Sunday.
Ms Allan, 39, was detained at the central police station for about four hours, according to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.
Mr Hipkins noted police reported that Allan’s breath test showed she was over the legal alcohol limit, although she was not charged with drunk driving. Police said they issued Allan an infringement notice in relation to the breath test.
A court date has not been set. If found guilty, Ms Allan could face fines and a suspension of her driver’s license.
Once considered a rising star of New Zealand’s Labour Party, Ms Allan had recently taken time off for her mental health after being involved in a publicised split with her partner.
She also faced accusations of having poor working relationships with some staff.
Mr Hipkins said he spoke with Ms Allan on Monday morning and told her he thought she wasn’t in a fit state to remain a minister, and it was untenable for a justice minister to be charged with criminal offending. She agreed and resigned her ministerial roles, Mr Hipkins said.
For now, Ms Allan remains a member of Parliament.
“While her alleged actions are inexcusable, I’ve been advised she was experiencing extreme emotional distress at the time of the incident,” Mr Hipkins said.
“Her recent personal struggles with mental health have been well documented and it appears some of those issues came to a head yesterday.”
Mr Hipkins said he felt sad for Ms Allan.
“Kiri is an incredibly talented person who clearly has been battling some demons, and has not won that battle,” he said.
Ms Allan said she was sorry for her actions and was heading home to consider her future in politics.
“Over recent weeks I’ve faced a number of personal difficulties. I took time off to address those, and believed I was okay to juggle those challenges with the pressure of being a minister,” she said in a statement. “My actions yesterday show I wasn’t okay, and I’ve let myself and my colleagues down.”
The incident involving Ms Allan was the latest in a series of missteps and scandals involving government ministers less than three months out from national elections.
Last month, Transport and Immigration Minister Michael Wood resigned after failing to disclose a possible conflict of interest with stock he owned. In March, Police Minister Stuart Nash was fired after it came to light he had given confidential information to donors. In May, Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri was fired after switching allegiance to another political party.
Opposition leader Christopher Luxon said he hoped Ms Allan was getting the support she needs, but added the situation raised questions about the judgment of Mr Hipkins.
Mr Hipkins took over as prime minister in January after predecessor Jacinda Ardern announced her shock resignation. New Zealand’s elections will be held on October 14.
Polls indicate the conservative opposition has pulled level or moved slightly ahead of the incumbent liberals in what promises to be a close race.
