Vancouver-False Creek NDP candidate Ray Lam has stepped down from his riding in the B.C. election after risqu� photos were discovered on his Facebook page by his opponent's campaign team and made public.
The images were taken in 2006; one shows a man who is thought to be Lam groping a woman and the other is of the same man partly undressed with two other people. They were removed from the social networking site on Sunday evening.
Lam stepped down shortly after the images were made public in the media and apologized to his party in a statement.
"An issue was made regarding inappropriate material on my private Facebook page," Lam said.
"I regret this material and the associated comments that have now become public. I do not want this to be a distraction in the election campaign and have advised the party that I am stepping down."
"I apologize to Carole James, the NDP and the voters of Vancouver-False Creek. I wish her and the party the best of luck in the coming election."
His opponent, BC Liberal MLA candidate Mary McNeil, demanded an apology.
"Voters expect and deserve a high standard from their elected officials," McNei said in a statement sent to media outlets on Sunday afternoon, which contained links to the offending photos.
"The photos clearly do not meet that standard. Mr. Lam should explain what kind of message he is trying to send. These photos are offensive and demeaning. I'm surprised that Carole James and her NDP caucus think these photos are acceptable."
NDP President Jeff Fox said the party would nominate a new candidate in the next few days to run in the seat.
