An emotional New Democrat MP Svend Robinson said he is taking a medical leave — stepping down from his job — after he admitted to stealing jewellery last Friday.
Describing his past few months as a time in which he has experienced "severe stress," an emotional Mr. Robinson said "something just snapped" last Friday when he pocketed a ring at an auction house.
Mr. Robinson said he didn't know why he took the ring, but was in agony over the incident. He tried to contact the auction house owners over the weekend without success before deciding to contact police.
No charges have been laid as of yet, Mr. Robinson said. He said he is taking counselling.
A member of the NDP since the age of 14, Mr. Robinson was first elected to the House of Commons in May 1979 to represent the riding of Burnaby-Douglas.
Mr. Robinson, who was Canada's first openly gay MP, currently serves as federal NDP spokesman on Health and International Human Rights.
He's been NDP Deputy House leader since February, 2003.
Last September, MPs voted 141-110 to pass Bill C-250, legislation sponsored by Mr. Robinson to expand the definition of "identifiable group" in the Criminal Code's hate propaganda law to include any person who is targeted because of sexual orientation.
The bill, which Mr. Robinson first tabled in the House in 1990, must be passed by the Senate before it becomes law.
The outspoken MP is also no stranger to controversy.
In April of 2002, he announced plans to go to Ramallah to meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and "demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian people."
His position sparked a heated debate within the NDP, which eventually stripped Mr. Robinson of his Mideast responsibilities.
More to come
