Taiwan's top finance official resigns over election melee

TAIPEI -- Taiwan's finance minister resigned Thursday over a melee that erupted outside the campaign headquarters of the ruling party's presidential candidate.

Finance Minister Ho Chih-chin said he felt sorry about Wednesday's clash outside Taipei's First Bank in which he and other opposition lawmakers were attacked by supporters of ruling Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Frank Hsieh. The lawmakers had barged into Hsieh's offices alleging that the government-controlled bank had let him use it rent free.

Ho did not give any details about his resignation and he did not acknowledge any wrongdoing in Wednesday's events.

After the opposition lawmakers barged into Hsieh's offices, police arrived and loaded Ho and his colleagues into a police car. Hundreds of DPP supporters attacked the vehicle and clashed with police. No one was seriously injured in the incident.

A spokesman for the bank told a local TV station that the building was rented out at market rates. DPP officials also said they paid a fair price.

Hsieh is facing off against Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition Nationalist Party in the March 22 election. Over the past two years the Nationalists have criticized the DPP over alleged corruption and Ma has made the issue a major theme of his campaign.

Ma apologized Wednesday night for the improper behavior of the opposition lawmakers.

(Agencies)