The leader of New South Wales — Australia’s most populous state — announced her resignation Friday after the state’s corruption watchdog said it was investigating her.

Gladys Berejiklian announced that “It hurts me to announce, I have no other option but to retire from the office as premier”. She gave a briefing during which she didn’t take any questions from journalists.

According to her, her resignation will be effective as soon as the Liberal party of the state can elect a leader.

Berejiklian said, “In order for the new leader to give the government a fresh start. I will also resign as a member of the New South Wales parliament after I consult the electoral commission regarding the appropriate timing for an by-election.”

Berejiklian was the subject of intense scrutiny as a result. faced mounting criticism over her government’s handling of the Covid-19 crisisNew South Wales

The ICAC was also looking into whetherMaguire who resigned from parliamentHe violated public trust in 2018 by improperly gaining a benefit for his own and others through his public office.

Berejiklian called the under-investigation issues “historical matters” and stated that the ICAC announcement made her feel compelled to resign because the state requires certainty during difficult times such as the pandemic.

She said, “I categorically state that I have always behaved with the greatest level of integrity.”

“My resignation as premier could not occur at a worse time but the timing is completely outside of my control as the ICAC has chosen to take this action during the most challenging weeks of the most challenging time in the state’s history,” she said.

She added, “Resigning now is against all my instincts and something that I don’t want to do.”