House president Demetris Syllouris resigned on Thursday under immense public pressure following an undercover video showing him offering to help a Chinese businessman with a criminal record secure citizenship.
In a written statement, the embattled politician said he was resigning as House president and was also giving up his seat in parliament.
He insisted that he had not broken any law, but said his resignation deprived certain people of the excuse that his presence hindered the smooth operation of parliament.
Following publication of the video, filmed by undercover Al Jazeera reporters, Syllouris said he would be abstaining from his duties pending a police probe into the matter.
“I had also noted that I have already made my decisions on what I would do after the completion of the investigation,” he said.
Syllouris said he would also waive his parliamentary immunity if asked to facilitate the investigation.
“My decisions were based on the unwavering belief that I have not committed a crime and that a possible resignation would imply the opposite,” he said.
“However, I see that my continued stay in the office of House president has been misinterpreted.”
Syllouris attributed the misinterpretation and some people’s desire to exploit the issue for their own political ends, but also the excuses regarding the dysfunction of the legislature, had led him to the decision to resign as House president and MP.
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