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Canada's foreign minister resigns Canada's foreign minister resigns
(20 minutes later)
Canada's foreign minister has resigned after he admitted leaving classified documents in a non-secure location. Canada's foreign minister has resigned after he admitted leaving classified documents in an unsafe place.
Maxime Bernier's resignation has been accepted by Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper.Maxime Bernier's resignation has been accepted by Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
He said Canada's international trade minister, David Emerson, would serve as interim foreign affairs minister. He said Canada's International Trade Minister, David Emerson, would serve as interim foreign affairs minister.
Mr Bernier had been criticised in recent weeks amid allegations that a former girlfriend had relationships with men connected to organized crime.Mr Bernier had been criticised in recent weeks amid allegations that a former girlfriend had relationships with men connected to organized crime.
"Minister Bernier has learned and informed me that he left classified government documents in a non-secure location," said Mr Harper.
"This is a serious error. (He) has accepted his responsibilities in offering to resign."
The announcement came hours before an interview with Mr Bernier's former girlfriend, Julie Couillard, was due to be shown on Canadian television.
Mr Bernier, who was appointed to the role last August, is the first minister to resign from Mr Harper's cabinet under a cloud since the conservatives were swept to power in January 2006 elections.