Jersey Housing Minister resigns after legal allegations
Jersey's Housing Minister Senator Terry Le Main has resigned from his position.
He faced a vote of confidence in the States after allegations he interfered in the prosecution of a property developer. He has denied the allegations.
Mr Le Main already announced he would step aside while an inquiry into the allegations was carried out.
He tendered his resignation as Housing Minister "with regret and sadness" to the chief minister on Tuesday evening.
'Vigour and enthusiasm'
The senator was criticised in court for writing to the Attorney General to say a case against developer Frank Venton was unfair. Mr Venton has admitted breaching housing law.
The Royal Court was told that Senator Le Main is friends with the property developer, which the senator denies.
The senator has been Housing Minister for the past 11 years.
Senator Le Main said: "Whatever is said at this time, please allow me to publicly rebut many of the media and frenzied allegations.
"In the interests of fairplay I will be judged by the public."
He said he would make a public announcement about the decisions he took and the reasons for doing so once the chief minister's inquiry was complete.
He also urged Jersey's other ministers not to be distracted by his actions while they try to balance the island's finances.
"I will revert to my old role as a backbencher with vigour and enthusiasm and will be open for business for anyone requiring political help and assistance," Senator Le Main said.