SINGAPORE » The speaker of Singapore’s parliament has resigned over an extramarital affair with a government employee.

The resignation announced today is the latest scandal to both titillate and shock a country known for its strait -laced image.

Michael Palmer, the speaker and a member of Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party, said his conduct was "improper" and a "serious error of judgment."

The woman Palmer had an affair with was employed by a government statutory board and worked in Palmer’s constituency.

A new election will be held to fill Palmer’s vacant seat in parliament.