No justification

The Reform Party's parliamentary-group leader, Jurgen Ligi, announced on 5 November that he is resigning from parliament because his son was arrested for shoplifting in a Tallinn store. The newspaper "SL Ohtuleht" on 4 and 5 November reported the arrest, without giving the minor's or the deputy's name, for the alleged theft of clothes worth 3,263 kroons ($206). "As a father, I want to protect my son, but it is clear there is no justification for his conduct," Ligi said. "I find that it is my duty to take time off and devote more time to my family." He did not say whether he plans to run again in the March parliamentary elections. The Reform Party faction is meeting on 6 November to discuss the election of a new deputy-group chairman.