New Zealand justice minister Kiri Allan resigned from her position on Monday after she was charged with careless driving and resisting arrest. Allan was taken into custody by police Sunday night after she was involved in a vehicle collision with a parked car in Wellington. Police attended the accident and Allan returned a breath test above the legal alcohol limit, but did not result in a criminal charge. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed Allan’s resignation, stating that her actions are “inexcusable”.

“I have spoken with her first thing this morning and advised her I do not believe she’s in a fit state to hold a Ministerial warrant,” Hipkins said.

Allan had recently returned from mental health leave, and Hipkins stated that she was “experiencing extreme emotional distress at the time of the incident”.

“Her recent personal struggles with mental health have been well documented and it appears some of those issues came to a head,” Hipkins said. 

Allan has resigned from her portfolios and Labour MP Ginny Andersen has taken over as justice minister.

Allan’s resignation follows a series of controversies within Hipkin’s Labour party. Transport and immigration minister Michael Wood resigned in June after failing to disclose a potential conflict of interest in stock ownership. In May, customs minister Meka Whaitiri left the Labour party and joined another party. In March, police minister Stuart Nash was dismissed for disclosing confidential information to political donors.

In January, Jacinda Ardern resigned as Prime Minister, stating that she “no longer had enough in the tank” to fulfil the role. Upon resigning, Ardern confirmed a general election in October.