NSW Opposition leader John Robertson resigns
NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson has dramatically resigned from his post.
It comes 24 hours after it was revealed he signed a letter on behalf of Sydney siege gunman Man Haron Monis to help him get access to his sons on Fathers Day.
In a press conference this afternoon Mr Robertson said: “While I’ve received a number of messages of support from the Labor caucus it has become clear to me that I have lost the support of some of my senior colleagues.
"So as a lifelong Labor man I have decided to step aside as Labor leader.
“The next election is so important that Labor must be united behind the leader.”
Despite signing the letter, Mr Robertson denies he endorsed Monis.
He said it was a straightforward matter similar to the thousands of constituent requests handled by politicians every year.
"This was a letter that forwarded a request to an agency," Mr Robertson said on Monday.
"It in no way supported or endorsed anything that this man was asking for."
