New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said he had spoken with his justice minister on Monday morning. “I have informed her that I do not think it would be wise for her to continue as minister,” said Hipkins. He calls it “indefensible” that a minister of justice is accused of criminal offenses.
Allan agreed and has decided to leave immediately. “I have had some difficult weeks and this incident shows that I am not well,” she said in a statement also apologizing. New Zealand media reports that Allan collided with a parked car in Wellington.
Prime Minister Hipkins calls her actions “inexcusable” but also says Allan was emotionally in a difficult position at the time of the accident. The minister recently took time off after her divorce was made public and she came under fire because of a bad working atmosphere at her ministry.
Allan had been Attorney General for a year. Elections are less than three months away in New Zealand.