New Zealand Minister Resigns Due To Drunk Driving

JAKARTA - New Zealand's Justice Minister Allan resigned Monday (24/7) after a car accident he experienced in Wellington for reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol and refusing detention.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the accident involving Allan occurred on Sunday at around 21.00 local time before finally being detained for four hours.

Allan has also received a certificate of excessive alcohol content-related violations.

"Although his actions cannot be justified, I have been informed that he was subjected to intense emotional pressure at the time of the incident," Hipkins said in a statement quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, July 24.

"His recent struggle with mental health has been known and it appears that some of these problems arose yesterday," he added.

Hipkins said he had told Allan that he was not in the right condition to become a minister. It was also conveyed that the position was "untenable" by a justice minister who was required to commit a crime.

Allan agreed and decided to resign from the ministerial position.

Hipkins, who served as prime minister in January following Jacinda Ardern's resignation, has appointedIKE Andersen as the new justice minister.