Richard Worth

Wellington, June 15 NZPA - Richard Worth's ministerial replacement is to be announced this afternoon, amid continued speculation over why he was forced to resign as a minister.

Dr Worth resigned as an MP late on Friday after earlier being asked to resign as a minister when it emerged that he was under police investigation over allegations of a sexual nature involving a Korean business woman.

He had been a minister outside cabinet with responsibility for internal affairs, land information, Archives New Zealand, the National Library and Associate Minister of Justice.

Prime Minister John Key said his replacement would be announced at the post-Cabinet press conference, which is held weekly on Monday afternoons.

Dr Worth rang Mr Key on Friday afternoon to advise of his resignation.

"I think that was a sensible move but I also think that that's the end of the matter," Mr Key told NewstalkZB.

"In the end I said to him personally what I said publicly -- that the decision to stay on as MP was a decision he had to make with the counsel of his family and friends."

However, Mr Key said he thought resigning was the right decision.

Mr Key continued his refusal to comment on why he sacked Dr Worth as a minister.

"He lost my confidence.

"I think New Zealanders know that I'm a pretty fair person, I don't act irrationally."

The situation would not damage the National Party, he said.

Dr Worth was asked to resign as a minister because he mislead Mr Key, The Dominion Post reported.

Mr Key became aware that Dr Worth had mislead him through an investigation into allegations involving the Korean woman, the newspaper said.

Police have contacted Dr Worth over the allegations but it was not known if he had been interviewed by them yet.

He said previously he was cooperating with their investigation.

A second allegation was also made against Dr Worth by a member of the Labour Party.

The woman involved, Neelam Choudary, alleged that between November and February, Dr Worth sent dozens of text messages, some sexually explicit, and called her numerous times.

In a public statement she also said Dr Worth offered her jobs in his ministerial capacity.