Craig Thomson quits Federal ALP
THE embattled Labor MP, Craig Thomson, has quit the ALP after a conversation last night with the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.
Mr Thomson will formally announce his decision in an address to the media at 1pm AEST outside his Tuggerah electorate office on the NSW central coast.
But it is believed the decision has been forced upon him to avoid further embarrassment to the government.
Ms Gillard, who is to address the media today, is also expected to announce that Peter Slipper will not be making a speedy return to the Speaker's chair.
She is expected to use the press conference to attempt to clear the air around both the Thomson and Slipper sagas, which have caused enormous damage to the government's reputation.
Mr Thomson, the member for the NSW electorate of Dobell, has been under sustained scrutiny over his links to the Health Services Union, which is being investigated for alleged inappropriate conduct by senior staff members.
Read more at Brisbanetimes.com.au
