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Anthony Weiner 'tells friends he will be resigning' US lawmaker Anthony Weiner resigns after sex scandal
(40 minutes later)
US lawmaker Anthony Weiner has told friends that he plans to resign his seat in Congress after an internet sex scandal, US media have reported. US Democratic lawmaker Anthony Weiner has resigned his seat in Congress following an internet sex scandal.
Mr Weiner cited pressure from his Democratic colleagues as the reason for his decision, the New York Times said. He said "the distraction that I have created" had made continuing "impossible". He said he apologised for the "personal mistakes" he had made.
He has been under pressure after lying about a series of online chats with women in which he sent lewd photos. He had been under pressure after lying about a series of online chats with women to whom he sent lewd photos.
The move comes days after US President Barack Obama said he would quit if he were in Mr Weiner's position.The move comes days after US President Barack Obama said he would quit if he were in Mr Weiner's position.
Mr Weiner had been regarded as a rising star in the Democratic Party and a possible prospect for the mayorship of New York City.Mr Weiner had been regarded as a rising star in the Democratic Party and a possible prospect for the mayorship of New York City.
He is expected to make a formal statement about his position in New York at 1400 local time (1800 GMT).
Talks with wifeTalks with wife
The reports of Mr Weiner's impending resignation come as Democratic lawmakers were to hold a meeting on Thursday to discuss whether to strip the 46-year-old representative of his committee assignments. The reports of Mr Weiner's resignation come as Democratic lawmakers were to hold a meeting on Thursday to discuss whether to strip the 46-year-old representative of his committee assignments.
Democratic leaders had also called for an ethics probe to find whether Mr Weiner had abused the congressional office he has held for 14 years.Democratic leaders had also called for an ethics probe to find whether Mr Weiner had abused the congressional office he has held for 14 years.
The congressman has said he used his home computer and mobile phone, not government computers, in his exchanges with women.The congressman has said he used his home computer and mobile phone, not government computers, in his exchanges with women.
The investigation is expected to come to a halt following Mr Weiner's formal resignation.The investigation is expected to come to a halt following Mr Weiner's formal resignation.
The lawmaker decided he would resign after having long discussions with his wife, Huma Abedin, an aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the New York Times reported.The lawmaker decided he would resign after having long discussions with his wife, Huma Abedin, an aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the New York Times reported.
Ms Abedin is reportedly pregnant with the couple's first child.Ms Abedin is reportedly pregnant with the couple's first child.
Mr Weiner, who has been at a treatment facility since last weekend, telephoned Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Representative Steve Israel of New York on Wednesday evening to tell them of his plans to resign, the Associated Press news agency reported.Mr Weiner, who has been at a treatment facility since last weekend, telephoned Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Representative Steve Israel of New York on Wednesday evening to tell them of his plans to resign, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Mr Weiner has faced pressure to leave the House of Representatives for days, with Ms Pelosi urging him to spare the party any more embarrassment.Mr Weiner has faced pressure to leave the House of Representatives for days, with Ms Pelosi urging him to spare the party any more embarrassment.
Rumours of Mr Weiner's conduct came to light at the end of May, when he accidentally released on his public Twitter feed a photograph of his underpants-clad crotch.Rumours of Mr Weiner's conduct came to light at the end of May, when he accidentally released on his public Twitter feed a photograph of his underpants-clad crotch.
For several days Mr Weiner insisted the account had been hacked, but last week he admitted the photo was of his own body and he had intended to send it privately to a university student in Washington state.For several days Mr Weiner insisted the account had been hacked, but last week he admitted the photo was of his own body and he had intended to send it privately to a university student in Washington state.
Mr Weiner also admitted sending photos "of an explicit nature" to six women in the past three years, including during the time he had been married.Mr Weiner also admitted sending photos "of an explicit nature" to six women in the past three years, including during the time he had been married.
The BBC's Jonny Dynond, in Washington, says few, if any, have gone from high flying congressman to national laughing stock in such a short space of time. The BBC's Jonny Dymond, in Washington, says few, if any, have gone from high flying congressman to national laughing stock in such a short space of time.
If Mr Weiner submits his resignation, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to call a special election to fill the representative's empty seat. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to call a special election to fill the representative's empty seat.
Mr Weiner served on the New York City Council from 1992 until his election to the House of Representatives in 1998.Mr Weiner served on the New York City Council from 1992 until his election to the House of Representatives in 1998.
He also ran for New York mayor in 2005 and had discussed seeking the office again.He also ran for New York mayor in 2005 and had discussed seeking the office again.