Australian minister David Campbell quits after being filmed at gay sex club
Australian politician David Campbell has resigned after he was filmed leaving a gay sex club.
The New South Wales minister for roads and transport was filmed on Tuesday leaving Ken’s of Kensington, in eastern Sydney.
Ken’s bills itself as “a venue for men who prefer men” and boasts a sauna, steam room and lounge.
Mr Campbell, 51, was filmed by the Seven Network leaving the venue in his official car. There is no suggestion he committed any wrongdoing by using the vehicle.
This afternoon, he issued a statement which said he was resigning from his ministerial post for “personal reasons” and apologised to his wife Edna, who has been battling cancer.
The statement said: “I apologise to my wife, family, colleagues, staff and the community for letting them down.
“This will be a very difficult time for my family and friends and I ask for their privacy to be respected.”
Mr Campbell will continue as an MP. He has been married for 33 years and has two grown-up sons.
According to the Sydney Daily Telegraph, he handed his resignation to Premier Kristina Keneally and told her he had been living a secret life for 25 years.
Ms Keneally said: “I thank him for his tireless work and for fulfilling his ministerial duties with dedication. I appeal to the community to show understanding towards David and his family.”
Reports said his some of his cabinet colleagues had been aware of his visits to gay bars and saunas for years, and one said: “Growing up in the Gong [Wollongong], aware you are gay your whole life and didn’t tell your family … what a terrible life of lies for him.”
