President Tony Tan Keng Yam Name Michael Palmer Spouse Diane Palmer | ||
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Deputy Charles ChongSeah Kian Peng Similar People Lim Chin Siong, Lee Kuan Yew, Toh Chin Chye Preceded by(Member of Parliament for Punggol East SMC) Constituency established Succeeded by (Member of Parliament for Punggol East SMC) Lee Li Lian (WP) Preceded by(Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC) Charles Chong (PAP) Succeeded by (Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC) Constituency abolished Born 14 July 1968 (age 55) Singapore Political party Independent Parent Vernon Palmer (father) Children 1 Alma mater University College London (LLB) | ||
Michael palmer elected as speaker of parliament
Michael Anthony Palmer (born 14 July 1968) is a Singaporean lawyer and former politician. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Singapore's governing People's Action Party (PAP) from 2006 to 2012, and was the Speaker of the House in the Parliament of Singapore from October 2011 to December 2012, when he resigned after it was revealed that he had been having an extra-marital affair with an employee of the People's Association (PA).
Contents
- Michael palmer elected as speaker of parliament
- Facts
- Speaker of parliament michael palmer resigns over grave mistake 12dec2012
- Career
- Political career
- Resignation from Politics
- Other roles
- Education
- References
Facts
- Served as Speaker of Singapore's Parliament from 2011-2012.
- Represented Punggol East ward and Punggol East SMC as a member of the People's Action Party.
- Began his career at the law firm Harry Elias Partnership, later joined Lawrence Quahe & Woo.
- Entered politics in 2006, winning a seat in Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC.
- Chaired several Government Parliamentary Committees from 2008-2012.
- Resigned from his political roles in 2012 due to an extra-marital affair.
- His resignation led to the People's Action Party's loss in the Punggol East SMC by-elections in 2013.
- Previously served as Chairman of the National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) Council.
- Educated at St Andrew's schools and University College London, where he earned a law degree.
Speaker of parliament michael palmer resigns over grave mistake 12dec2012
Career
Palmer was called to the Singapore Bar in 1995 and joined the law firm Harry Elias Partnership as a legal consultant. He became a partner at the firm in 1998.
In April 2013, Palmer left Harry Elias Partnership and joined the law firm Lawrence Quahe & Woo. The firm was renamed Quahe Woo & Palmer when he joined.
Political career
Palmer was elected a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) in the 2006 general election.
Palmer served as the Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs from 2008 to 2011, and as the Chairman of the Home Affairs and Law committee in 2011.
At the 2011 general election, Palmer was elected as the MP for Punggol East Single Member Constituency after defeating Lee Li Lian of the Workers' Party and Desmond Lim of the Singapore Democratic Alliance. Palmer was then nominated by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for the post of Speaker of Parliament, and was elected to this role by the House on 10 October 2011.
Resignation from Politics
Palmer announced his resignation as Speaker of Parliament and MP for Punggol East (as well as from the PAP) on 12 December 2012 due to an extra-marital affair with Laura Ong Hui Hoon, constituency director of the People's Association (PA) office in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. During a press conference with Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Palmer acknowledged committing "a grave mistake" and described it as "a serious error of judgment." He announced his resignation to "avoid further embarrassment." The PA staff member concerned also resigned. The PAP subsequently lost the by-election in Palmer's Punggol East constituency in January 2013 when Lee Li Lian of the Workers' Party (who Palmer had defeated in the 2011 general election) won the seat, defeating the PAP's candidate Koh Poh Koon.
Other roles
Palmer was also the Chairman of the National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) Council. He was replaced by Assistant Commissioner Zuraidah as Covering Chairperson after the scandal.
Education
Palmer attended the St Andrew's family of schools – St Andrew's Junior School, St Andrew's Secondary School and St Andrew's Junior College – which is affiliated to the Anglican Church of Singapore. He later read law in University College London and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 1992.