Labour minister resigns over bribery scandal

Labour and Social Affairs Minister Jaromír Drábek has announced his decision to resign from his post in connection with the bribery scandal surrounding two of his closest associates - his deputy Vladimir Šiška and the head of IT Milan Hojer. At a press briefing in Prague on Wednesday minister Drábek said he did not feel guilty in any way but was ready to accept personal responsibility for this development in order not to damage his party TOP 09 further ahead of the regional and senate elections. The labour minister reiterated his firm belief in his deputy’s innocence but said he was not in a position to wait for Mr. Šiska to clear his name in court. The minister will leave his post at the end of the month.