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Irish MP Patrick Nulty stands down over revelations of ‘inappropriate’ Facebook messages to schoolgirl | |
(2 days later) | |
An Irish politician has been forced to resign after it emerged he had been sending “inappropriate” Facebook messages from inside parliament. | An Irish politician has been forced to resign after it emerged he had been sending “inappropriate” Facebook messages from inside parliament. |
The Independent TD (Teachta Dála) Patrick Nulty said he was standing down with immediate effect last night, just hours before the publication of a Sunday newspaper containing the allegations. | The Independent TD (Teachta Dála) Patrick Nulty said he was standing down with immediate effect last night, just hours before the publication of a Sunday newspaper containing the allegations. |
According to the Sunday World, the 31-year-old parliamentarian sent a late-night message to a 17-year-old schoolgirl asking; “Have you ever been spanked?” | According to the Sunday World, the 31-year-old parliamentarian sent a late-night message to a 17-year-old schoolgirl asking; “Have you ever been spanked?” |
The newspaper said Mr Nulty claimed his phone had been “hacked”, until it presented him with geo-tagging evidence suggesting the messages were sent from within Leinster House, home of the Irish parliament. | The newspaper said Mr Nulty claimed his phone had been “hacked”, until it presented him with geo-tagging evidence suggesting the messages were sent from within Leinster House, home of the Irish parliament. |
Issuing a statement, the politician said: “I sent inappropriate messages via Facebook, | Issuing a statement, the politician said: “I sent inappropriate messages via Facebook, |
“This included inadvertently sending one to a 17-year-old woman. To the best of my knowledge I have never met this woman and the message was sent while under the influence of alcohol.” | “This included inadvertently sending one to a 17-year-old woman. To the best of my knowledge I have never met this woman and the message was sent while under the influence of alcohol.” |
The former Labour Party TD, who left the junior coalition government partner last June in a row about the political direction it was taking, apologised “wholeheartedly” to the girl involved and to her family. | The former Labour Party TD, who left the junior coalition government partner last June in a row about the political direction it was taking, apologised “wholeheartedly” to the girl involved and to her family. |
“It was never my intention to upset anyone in this way but it was totally wrong,” he said. | “It was never my intention to upset anyone in this way but it was totally wrong,” he said. |
The Sunday World also alleged that a woman was asked to send underwear in the post and another was urged to wear a skirt when visiting a constituency clinic. | The Sunday World also alleged that a woman was asked to send underwear in the post and another was urged to wear a skirt when visiting a constituency clinic. |
Mr Nulty was elected to the Dáil, the lower house of the Irish parliament, in 2011 under a Labour Party ticket, taking the late former Finance Minister Brian Lenihan's seat. | Mr Nulty was elected to the Dáil, the lower house of the Irish parliament, in 2011 under a Labour Party ticket, taking the late former Finance Minister Brian Lenihan's seat. |
In his statement he said the message was entirely inappropriate and that he took full responsibility for his actions. | In his statement he said the message was entirely inappropriate and that he took full responsibility for his actions. |
“I set myself the highest standards personally and politically,” he said. | “I set myself the highest standards personally and politically,” he said. |
“Unfortunately due to personal mistakes I have not met those standards in this matter and I will take responsibility for that.” | “Unfortunately due to personal mistakes I have not met those standards in this matter and I will take responsibility for that.” |
Mr Nulty thanked his family, friends and supporters. | Mr Nulty thanked his family, friends and supporters. |
“In politics people very often do not take responsibility for their actions,” he said. | “In politics people very often do not take responsibility for their actions,” he said. |
“I hope I am doing that. I would further like to apologise to my constituents in Dublin West for my mistake. | “I hope I am doing that. I would further like to apologise to my constituents in Dublin West for my mistake. |
“I hope they will understand my reasons for resigning and accept my apology. | “I hope they will understand my reasons for resigning and accept my apology. |
“I hope that as I have taken decisive and direct action on this matter my privacy will now be respected in what has been a very difficult decision for me personally.” | “I hope that as I have taken decisive and direct action on this matter my privacy will now be respected in what has been a very difficult decision for me personally.” |