Speaker John Diehl (r) is resigning his leadership position and his House seat.

Mo. House Speaker John Diehl Jr. resigns after sexting scandal

Diehl will also give up his Missouri Legislature seat

1:42 PM CDT May 14, 2015

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -House Speaker John Diehl Jr. has announced his resignation from the Missouri Legislature following the revelation that he exchanged sexually charged text messages with an intern.

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“Too often we hear leaders say they’re sorry but are unwilling to accept the consequences,” Diehl said in his resignation statement. “I understand that, as a leader, I am responsible for my actions and I am willing to face the consequences…”

[….]

“I have acknowledged making a serious error in judgment by sending the text messages. It was wrong and I am truly sorry. Too often we hear leaders say they’re sorry but are unwilling to accept the consequences. I understand that, as a leader, I am responsible for my actions and I am willing to face the consequences.”

[….]

In the Twitterverse:

Tony Messenger ‏@tonymess

It wasn’t the affair that did in @johndiehljr. It wasn’t the salacious texts. It was the fact that in the end, he lied to too many people. 1:38 PM – 14 May 2015

When will they ever learn?

Scott Charton ‏@ScottCharton

An agitated Senate adjourned under rules til Friday, last day of #moleg, while House roils in leadership upheaval. Unheard-of bedlam. 1:38 PM – 14 May 2015

Yael T. Abouhalkah ‏@YaelTAbouhalkah

Q: Would John Diehl still be in power if he had told the truth to The Star when asked 3 weeks ago about sexting with coed? 2:07 PM – 14 May 2015

We’ll never know. Who’s next?

Previously:

Ruh, roh… (May 13, 2015)

What? We’re all what? May 13, 2014)

A big Diehl in Jefferson City (May 14, 2015)