Surveillance footage of Labor MP David Campbell. Courtesy Channel Seven News
FORMER leaders from both sides of NSW politics have given their support to David Campbell, as the former minister fronted the media for the first time after revelations he visited a gay sex club.
The ex-premiers also condemned the media's treatment of Mr Campbell.
Former Labor premier Bob Carr told The Australian earlier this morning from New York, "My position has always been that the private life of MPs is precisely that.
"If parts of the media want to adopt a new standard in respect of politicians, it's a standard that should now be applied to other people in the public eye, including business leaders, media figures, sports figures and judges."
Mr Carr's comments came as NSW Premier Kristina Keneally insisted Mr Campbell, who was filmed on Tuesday evening entering and leaving a gay club in eastern Sydney, had been guilty of no wrongdoing, but had nevertheless made the "right call" in quitting.
She said of his sexuality that he had "been living with this secret for over two decades".
Shortly afterwards Mr Campbell held a short media conference, telling reporters he needed privacy to resolve matters with his family.
"This a very difficult time for my family," he said. "I put them in a situation, I accept responsibility for that.
"These are some choices that I have made. They have caused a great deal of embarrassment."
He said he was humbled by messages of support from the community.
Former Liberal premier of NSW Nick Greiner said of Mr Campbell's actions, "The event itself is clearly not a sacking offence and clearly not a resignation offence."
However, he said that in the context of the NSW Labor Government's poor standing in the polls, and Mr Campbell's recent problems in the transport portfolio, the former minister was never going to be able to tough out the revelations.
Mr Greiner said he did not believe it was in the public interest for the media to run stories like Mr Campbell's, but that it was unavoidable they would.
Ms Keneally has announced her new ministerial team, following a reshuffle occasioned by Mr Campbell's resignation, will be sworn in at Government House this afternoon at 4pm.
