Richard Worth

Wellington, June 4 NZPA - Wellington police are investigating criminal allegations against Richard Worth, who has resigned as a Government minister.

Wellington police said today an allegation had been made against "a sitting member of Parliament".

Police were conducting a preliminary investigation.

Prime Minister John Key accepted Dr Worth's resignation last night.

Mr Key told reporters he would have sacked Dr Worth, had he not resigned. He confirmed it was criminal investigation.

Mr Key was alerted to the matter last week, before the MP told him about it.

He refused to comment further on the details of the "personal circumstances".

It was up to Dr Worth whether he stayed in Parliament as an MP, Mr Key said.

He was the first minister to resign in the new Government, elected last November.

"He advised me of some private matters in respect of which he felt it appropriate that he should resign as a minister," Mr Key said in a statement.

Dr Worth said in his brief statement he deeply regretted resigning.

"I am resigning from the role for personal reasons," he said.

"It has been a privilege to have been a minister in this government. I will not be making any further comment to the media."

Dr Worth said he had been granted two weeks' leave of absence from Parliament.

He was a minister outside cabinet holding the portfolios of internal affairs and land information.

He was also an associate minister of justice.

Dr Worth's ministerial responsibilities had been temporarily transferred to Maurice Williamson.

Mr Key said he would permanently reallocate them in "the near future".

Dr Worth was reprimanded by Mr Key in April for playing out a public role during a private visit to India.

It emerged Dr Worth had travelled to India on a private business trip, then spoke as a minister promoting New Zealand as a destination for pilot training.

He later resigned as a director of New Zealand Aviation, linked to an Invercargill air training academy that wants to train Indian pilots.

He has more recently copped criticism for his refusal to answer written questions from Labour MP Chris Hipkins.

In April, Labour called for Dr Worth to be sacked after he visited a taxi driver allegedly attacked by members of a group that included the son of an acquaintance.

Labour accused him of a conflict of interest.

Mr Sandhu was allegedly punched and had his turban pulled off when he stopped to drop a group of passengers off.

Labour leader Phil Goff today said Dr Worth should have resigned months ago.

"The prime minister had ample reason to sack his minister months ago but lacked the necessary leadership to do so," Mr Goff said.

"The resignation of a minister is a very serious matter and it is incumbent on John Key to explain to the public why this has occurred.

"It is completely unsustainable for John Key to say that resignation from a high public office is for a secret or undisclosed reason, unless there are personal family matters behind Dr Worth's agreement to resign."