In a shock press conference he said he accepted the consequences of his “massive memory fail” after the Independent Commission Against Corruption revealed he was sent the bottle by the boss of Australian Water Holdings boss Nick Di Girolamo.
Under oath Mr O’Farrell said he did not recall receiving the bottle despite evidence to suggest he may have called Mr Di Girolama to thank him for the gift.
However it emerged this morning that he sent a signed thank you card, forcing his resignation.
“This has clearly been a significant memory fail on my part,” he said. “I accept the consequences of my actions.”
The resignation comes in the same week the successful Premier announced a massive plan to build a second airport at Badgerys Creek after decades of inaction.
In a snap press conference shortly after 10am he made the brief statement.
“I can’t explain what happened to that bottle of wine,” he said. “I do accept that there is a thank you note signed for by me.
“The evidence I presented in ICAC yesterday was true, to the best of my knowledge. In no way did I seek to mislead, wilfully or otherwise, the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
“There has clearly been a significant memory fail on my part.”
Treasurer Mike Baird and Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian were immediately identified as potential replacements.
Mr O’Farrell who took over from Labor in a landslide win in March 2011 has continued to enjoy considerable electoral appeal after a tumultuous period under the previous premier Kristina Keneally.
“I accept the consequences of my actions and that is that as soon as I can organise a meeting of the parliamentary liberal party early next week, I will be resigning the position, enabling a new leader to be elected to become the Premier of NSW,” Mr O’Farrell said.
The note that prompted the Premier to resign.
The note that prompted the Premier to resign.
The note that prompted the Premier to resign.
