Disgraced NSW MP Daryl Maguire resigns

Daryl Maguire has submitted his resignation, three weeks after evidence revealed that he had sought secret commissions.

Mr Maguire’s belated resignation letter comes ahead of parliament resuming on August 7.

Disgraced Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire has finally submitted his resignation, three weeks after evidence in the Independent Commission against Corruption that he had sought secret commissions from a developer.

Mr Maguire had continued to draw more than $3000 a week despite Premier Gladys Berejiklian calling for him to go soon after the incident.

The Premier announced two weeks ago he had said he would step down, but the formal letter of resignation was only submitted to the Speaker, Shelley Hancock, this afternoon.

Mrs Berejiklian had called on her political mentor, former premier Barry O’Farrell, to intervene the night before she announced he would step down.

Mr O’Farrell was himself forced from office over misleading the commission over a gift of a $3000 bottle of wine in 2014.

Mr Maguire’s belated resignation letter comes ahead of parliament resuming on August 7.

The resignation had created an argument between the Nat­ionals and Liberals over which Coalition partner should run for Wagga Wagga. The Nationals agreed not to run.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro had to threaten to quit as leader to get his state exec­utive to agree to Ms Berejiklian’s request that a Liberal contest the seat.

Mrs Berejiklian declined to comment this afternoon.

Opposition leader Luke Foley blasted Mr Maguire for taking so long to resign, as well as Mrs Berejiklian for her “weak leadership” on the matter.

“Daryl Maguire should have gone three weeks ago but because of the Premier’s weak leadership he has clung on to office,” Mr Foley said.

“The people of Wagga have had a lame duck for a member because the Liberals did everything in their power to avoid a by-election.

“It took Labor to force the issue. If we hadn’t then Daryl Maguire would still be sitting pretty and the Premier would have been able to sweep this latest scandal under the carpet.

“Wagga deserves better and they will get a chance to choose a more fitting member at the next election. Dan Hayes would make a fantastic MP.”