United States:A Republican senator caught in a sex sting at a men's lavatory has announced his resignation after party leaders abandoned him.
Idaho's Larry Craig said he would step down at the end of the month but said he would fight to clear his name despite pleading guilty to disorderly conduct.
"I apologise for what I have caused. I am deeply sorry," he said on Saturday. "To pursue my legal options as I continue to serve Idaho would be an unwarranted and unfair distraction. The people of Idaho deserve a senator that can devote 100 per cent of his time and effort to the critical issues of our state and of our nation."
Idaho's Republican governor, CL "Butch" Otter, will choose a successor to represent the state at the Senate until next year's election.
The White House and Republican congressional leaders welcomed Mr Craig's decision. "Larry Craig made a difficult decision, but the right one. It is my hope he will be remembered not for this, but for his three decades of dedicated public service," said Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell.
A conservative with a record of opposition to gay rights, Mr Craig was arrested at Minneapolis airport in June by an undercover policeman after the senator tapped his foot and ran his fingers under a partition between toilet stalls. The policeman said this represented an attempt to initiate sexual activity. Mr Craig pleaded guilty but said later: "I am not gay. I have never been gay."