US congressman Weiner quits in sex scandal

             US representative Anthony Weiner, ensnared in a humiliating flap for sending lewd photos of himself to women online, resigned on Thursday, ending a weeks-long scandal that made his fellow Democrats cringe.

              ‘I had hoped to be able to continue the work that the citizens of my district had elected me to do — to fight for the middle class and those struggling to make it,’ Weiner told reporters in Brooklyn at the seniors’ centre where he first announced plans to run for New York City Council 20 years ago.

               ‘Unfortunately, the distraction that I have created has made that impossible, so today I am announcing my resignation from Congress,’ he said, looking composed in contrast to 10 days ago when he tearfully admitted to online dalliances.

            Once seen as a rising star among Democrats and widely expected to run for New York mayor, Weiner made his announcement alone, his wife absent, at a raucous event where he was heckled repeatedly.