SINGAPORE: Singapore’s parliamentary speaker announced his resignation on Wednesday after confessing that he had an extra-marital affair with a community worker, setting off a fresh sex scandal in the city-state.

Michael Palmer, 44, a married father of one who was only sworn in as speaker in October 2011, also quit his seat in parliament and his membership of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).

“I have resigned to take full responsibility for a grave mistake that I have committed,” Palmer told a press conference. “My conduct was improper and it was a serious error of judgment. I have resigned in order to avoid further embarrassment to the PAP and to Parliament.”

Revealing that he “had a relationship” with a staff member of a community organization called the People’s Association, Palmer, who is a lawyer, said that he was “deeply sorry” to his supporters, the PAP and as well as his family.

The association’s chairman is Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is also secretary general of the PAP.

Lee quickly announced that he had accepted Palmer’s resignation, saying that members of parliament have to uphold the highest standards of conduct.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who was with Palmer at the press conference, apologized to residents of the disgraced politician’s constituency.

There was no immediate word on a by-election to replace Palmer. Under Singapore law, a by-election is totally at the discretion of the prime minister.

The PAP, which has long cultivated an image of moral superiority over the opposition, came under immediate attack from online critics.

“The PAP needs to come clean with the people [about] what information have they got about Mr. Palmer and in particular, what did they know about him prior to the May 2011 election,” Adrian Lim, a member of the public, wrote on the prime minister’s Facebook page.

Palmer’s resignation is the latest high-level scandal to hit Singapore, which consistently ranks high in international surveys on government efficiency and cleanliness.

The former head of the narcotics police is on trial for allegedly seeking sexual favors from a contractor. The former head of civil defense is scheduled to be tried in January on a similar charge.

“Yes, certainly this is a blow to the PAP,” said Reuben Wong, an associate professor in political science at the National University of Singapore.

He cited the PAP’s “relentless hectoring” of the opposition Workers’ Party when one of its MPs, Yaw Shin Leong, was forced to quit politics over an extra-marital affair earlier this year.

The Workers’ Party, which regained the seat in a by-election, said on Wednesday that it was ready to field a candidate against the PAP in Palmer’s former seat.

In another high-level sex scandal this year, 51 men, including civil servants, businessmen and uniformed officers were charged in court for allegedly engaging the services of a 17-year-old prostitute and some have been jailed.