NEW ZEALAND: A New Zealand MP has resigned following multiple allegations of shoplifting, which police are investigating.
Golriz Ghahraman, of the Green Party, is alleged to have stolen three times from two clothing stores – one in Auckland and the other in Wellington.
Ms Ghahraman said stress relating to her work led her to “act in ways that are completely out of character”.
“I have let down a lot of people and I am very sorry,” she added.
The former United Nations human rights lawyer made history in 2017 by becoming the first refugee to be sworn into the New Zealand government. She once held the party’s justice portfolio,
She fled Iran as a child with her family, who were all granted political asylum in New Zealand.
Ms Ghahraman’s resignation on Tuesday comes after CCTV footage emerged showing her allegedly taking a designer handbag from an Auckland boutique.
The 42-year-old, who has not been charged with any crime, said in a statement her actions had “fallen short” of the high standards of behaviour the public expect from elected representatives.
