My choices caused great embarrassment: David Campbell
May 21, 2010 – 1:46PM
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NSW Labor MP David Campbell says he and his family need time and privacy to deal with the circumstances that led to his shock resignation as transport and roads minister.
Speaking for the first time since footage of him leaving a gay sex club in Sydney’s eastern suburbs was aired on national television yesterday, Mr Campbell said he accepted responsibility for his actions.
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“What I will do is work through these issues with my family,” he told reporters in his electorate of Keira on the state’s south coast today.
Mr Campbell, 52, and a married father of two sons, did not directly address questions about his sexuality, saying only: “These are some choices that I have made.
“They have caused a great deal of embarrassment.”
Earlier today, Premier Kristina Keneally said Mr Campbell had led a secret life for more than 20 years.
Mr Campbell said he needed to work through the circumstances with his family, and that he had been humbled by messages of support from his local community.
He also denied suggestions he was uncontactable on the night of the F3 highway debacle, saying his office would be releasing telephone records to prove where he was.
Mr Campbell said he was in contact with staff and reachable at his Potts Point apartment on that night in April, when traffic on the highway was backed up for hours leaving motorists stranded.
Asked if he would stand at the state election to be held in March 2011, he said: “I have every intention to continue to serve as the member for Keira.”
Mr Campbell said the past 24 hours had been “particularly difficult for me but it is nothing compared to the difficulty my family has confronted”.
“This a very difficult time for my family,” he said.
“I put them in a situation, I accept responsibility for that.
“But they need privacy and we need some privacy to try and resolve this, try and put it behind us, and get on with our life.”
He again apologised to his family and political colleagues.
The former transport minister also stressed his private life had never impacted on his career in politics, which included eight years as mayor of Wollongong.
“I made some personal choices which have put me and my family in this situation,” he said.
“I’ve apologised to them for it.
“I apologise to the community, and I accept responsibility for the situation that I’ve put my family and myself in.
“I want to make it very clear that never over the period of my public life have those personal choices impacted in any way shape or form on the decisions I’ve had to make in public life.”
Mr Campbell also thanked members of the public for supporting him and his family while they dealt with the fallout of the Seven Network report.
“I have though been humbled to see the number of messages coming to my family and myself from members of my community and others,” he said.
AAP
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