Justice Minister Kiri Allan has resigned from all ministerial portfolios after resisting arrest following a car crash in Wellington yesterday (Sunday).
Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins confirmed this morning that Kiri Allan was involved in a car crash on Evan Bays Parade in Wellington just after 9pm on Sunday and was taken taken into custody and held in the Wellington Central police station.
In his statement, Prime Minister said “she has been charged with reckless driving and resisting arrest (and)was released around 1.00am this morning.
“She also returned a breath test over the legal limit but at a level considered an infringement offence. Police have not pressed charges in relation to that,” Hipkins said.
Prime Minister Hipkins found her actions “inexcusable” and “indefensible”, but was aware of her ongoing mental issues.
“While her alleged actions are inexcusable, I’ve been advised she was experiencing extreme emotional distress at the time of the incident. Her recent personal struggles with mental health have been well documented and it appears some of those issues came to a head yesterday.
“I have spoken with her first thing this morning and advised her I do not believe she’s in a fit state to hold a Ministerial warrant. I believe it’s also untenable for a Justice Minister to be charged with criminal offending,” he said.
“Last night’s incident is evidence there are not always quick fixes when it comes to mental health, and the best thing for Kiri right now is to focus on her whanau and her wellbeing away from Parliament.
“I don’t provide this detail to diminish her actions, they were indefensible, but to provide context for the distressed circumstances she found herself in when the incident occurred.”
Allan Kiri has also expressed her regrets for her ‘actions’ and ’embarrassment’ caused.
In a statement, the police confirmed no injuries were reported in the crash involving two vehicles and without naming anyone, police said “one person was taken in to custody and is assisting police with inquiries into the circumstances of the crash”.
Allan had returned to her full ministerial duties on Monday last week after taking a few days of mental health leave.
She also faced separate allegations regarding her treatment of staff, which she strongly denied.
Allan had earlier acknowledged “I’ve struggled with my mental health for a good part of my adult life. That’s something I try not to shy away from.”
PM will confirm the reallocation of her portfolios later today.
– from NewsViews
