The head of Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) has resigned following increasing pressure for him to quit the role.
Alan MacSporran said he had today advised the Attorney-General that he would resign from the position as chairperson effective from this Friday.
"Many people have urged me to continue in this important role, despite the recent finding contained in the report of the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee (PCCC)," he said in a statement.
"However, I find myself in a position where, despite a career spanning in excess of 40 years, where my honesty and integrity have never been questioned, it is clear to me that the relationship between myself and the PCCC has broken down irretrievably.
"This saddens me deeply."
His resignation comes after a parliamentary committee last year recommended a commission of inquiry be held into the CCC's structure after finding it breached its duty to remain independent and impartial.
The recommendation was made after the bipartisan committee looked into the CCC's decision to charge eight Logan City councillors with fraud in 2019.
The PCCC also found the CCC discretion to charge the councillors miscarried "because all material considerations and evidence were not taken into account and weighed".
The damning report also found that Mr MacSporran did not ensure the watchdog acted at all times independently and impartially, a "serious" failing that reflected "poorly" on the CCC.
The fraud charges, which prompted the entire council's dismissal, were discontinued in a Brisbane court in April, almost two years later.
In final submissions in October, the counsel assisting had suggested the possibility of recommending parliament terminate Mr MacSporran's appointment.
PCCC chair Jon Krause told the house it did not proceed with that recommendation and said it was of the view "this report speaks for itself".
"This report outlines serious findings, and related recommendations, that speak to these issues, including by making findings about where the CCC has failed in the role entrusted to it by this parliament, on behalf of all Queenslanders," he said.
Mr MacSporran defended his time in the role and said he came to the position with decades of experience in the criminal justice system.
"In my long career, I have never, ever, let extraneous irrelevant considerations enter my thinking about a decision relating to the proper exercising of powers in proceedings as a Queen's Counsel criminal barrister or as CCC Chairperson," he said.
"Investigating corruption and major crime is inherently complex.
"Those who are the subject of allegations and subsequent investigations can be persons with a high public profile. They frequently hold positions of power and the consequences of charges, let alone conviction, can be particularly grave.
"I understand this, as do all CCC officers. However, the Queensland community rightly expects the CCC to do its statutory job, and that ultimately involves making very complex, tough and independent decisions as an investigative agency.
"As Chairperson, I was willing to make, and support my staff making, those independent decisions."
MacSporran was not pushed: Premier's office
The ABC asked Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's office if she had asked Mr MacSporran to stand aside.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Premier said: "Mr MacSporran's resignation is a matter for him."
A spokesperson for Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said Mr MacSporran had notified her of his resignation today and it would be effective from close of business on Friday.
"An acting Chair will be appointed shortly," the spokesperson said.
Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) president and Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson welcomed Mr MacSporran's decision to resign.
"This is the appropriate – albeit overdue – course of action for Mr McSporran to take and is an important first step on the road to rebuilding public confidence in the CCC," Mr Jamieson said.
"We look forward to the state government's response to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Commission's report, tabled in December, which we hope will be supported and implemented in full."
The parliamentary inquiry was launched earlier this year in response to a complaint by the chief executive of the LGAQ, alleging the CCC had inappropriately interfered in civil proceedings concerning former Logan Council chief executive Sharon Kelsey's termination, and inappropriately used its powers to charge the then-councillors with fraud.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said it was an extraordinary day in Queensland history.
"For nearly two months the LNP has repeatedly said the position of the CCC chair is untenable," he said.
"For me it was never about the individual, it was never a personal issue in my mind.
"This was about a failure of the organisation, and when you read the report it talks of cultural issues in the CCC.
"Cultural change is something that has to be managed through leadership."
Mr Crisafulli said Ms Palaszczuk had taken too long to publicly comment on the PCCC report and whether Mr MacSporran still had her support.
"By delaying it, the Premier has undermined confidence in what is a key institution," he said.
Ms Palaszczuk said the cabinet would consider the PCCC report before parliament resumed at the end of next month.
A spokesperson for the Department of Premier and Cabinet said a formal response from the government was due to be provided by March 2.
MacSporran 'exceptionally privileged' to take on 'challenging' role
Mr MacSporran said he had been "exceptionally privileged" to have led the CCC.
"The role of chairperson is challenging, and I will always consider myself to have been exceptionally privileged to have led it for the time I have," he said.
"The CCC is greater than the sum of its parts and I wish the agency every success in the future while it continues its essential role of combating major crime and reducing corruption for the benefit of all Queenslanders. "
Mr MacSporran was named as head of the CCC by Ms Palaszczuk in July 2015.
He previously led the Queensland government's inquiry into the greyhound racing industry and served in the oversight role of parliamentary crime and misconduct commissioner.
Mr MacSporran also represented the state of Queensland at the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry and the Queensland Health Payroll System Commission of Inquiry.
