THE FOLLOWING ARE STATEMENTS BY MR PALMER AND DPM TEO CHEE
HEAN:
MR MICHAEL PALMER:
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for attending this
press conference.
With great regret, I announce that I have tendered my resignation
as a Member of Parliament and as a member of the People's Action
Party.
I have resigned to take full responsibility for a grave mistake
that I have committed. I had a relationship with a member of the
People's Association staff working in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. While
the individual did not work with me directly, Punggol East used to
be part of the GRC and continues to work with it. My conduct was
improper and it was a serious error of judgment.
I have resigned in order to avoid further embarassment to the PAP
and to Parliament.
I have performed my duties as Speaker of Parliament and MP for
Punggol East to the best of my ability and my actions did not
affect my performance of those duties.
I am deeply sorry for letting down the residents of Punggol East,
the PAP and everyone who has believed in me and supported me. I
apologise unreservedly to them, and to my family.
I humbly request that you be kind enough to respect my family's
privacy during this difficult period. Thank you.
REMARKS BY MR TEO CHEE HEAN:
The Party first came to know about this matter of Saturday 8
December.
On Saturday night Mr Michael Palmer came to see me to inform me
about this matter, and said that he would resign his positions.
I agreed with him that he should do so. We informed the Prime
Minister, who agreed that that was the proper thing to do.
The Prime Minister met Mr Palmer on Sunday morning and confirmed
the decision, and directed that this matter will be dealt with
decisively, and in an open way.
We took the last two days to make the arrangements to ensure that
residents of Punggol East continue to be taken care off (sic);
and
The transition is carried out according to the proper legal and
administrative procedures.
Once this was done, we made the announcement today.
Mr Palmer has resigned as a PAP member, and as MP for Punggol
East.
I have worked closely with Michael for more than 6 years, and know
him as a hard working and good MP, very caring to his residents. A
good team player. I am saddened and disappointed that this has
happened.
When he saw me on Sunday, he was very sorry for what he had
done.
I told him to look after his family and to do what he could to make
up for the hurt he had caused them.
I told him that I would make arrangements so that the residents in
his constituency continue to be looked after.
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