The People's Action Party (PAP) first came to know about Speaker of Parliament Michael Palmer's extramarital affair last Saturday night when he himself informed Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean about the matter and that he would resign from his positions in politics.
The next morning, Mr Palmer met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who agreed that the proper thing to do was for Mr Palmer, who is the Member of Parliament for Punggol East Single Member Constituency (SMC), to admit his mistake openly and take responsibility by stepping down.
"We took the last two days to make the arrangements to ensure that residents of Punggol East (constituency) continue to be taken care of, and that the transition is carried out according to the proper legal and administrative procedures," said Mr Teo at a press conference held early yesterday afternoon.
"On behalf of the party and of myself, I would like to say to the residents of Punggol East: 'I am very sorry that we have let you down. I assure you that we will put things right and continue to look after you'."
This was the shocking revelation made to reporters at the press conference held at the PAP headquarters in New Upper Changi Road.
The sombre atmosphere which filled the small room grew heavier as Mr Palmer, 44, shed light that it was a staff member of the People's Association (PA) branch at Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC that he had an affair with.
- My Paper
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