Labour Party and his Shadow Cabinet post.

And the Hamilton East MP and AME minister said he would not seek a seat for the PLP at the next General Election.

But Mr. Woolridge -- pending an appeal against his conviction -- will retain his seat in the House of Assembly until a General Election is called.

Shadow Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Woolridge said in a letter to PLP leader Jennifer Smith: "Given the personal challenges by which I am presently confronted and my determination to rise above them, and the physical and emotional commitment which is required of me, on behalf of my family at this time, it is with much sadness that I offer my immediate resignation from the Shadow Cabinet and the Party Whip.

"Further I will not seek to be a Progressive Labour Party candidate for the next General Election.'' Mr. Woolridge, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted earlier this month of sexually assaulting a woman parishioner last year. Sentence was held off pending an appeal against the conviction.

The letter said: "I have concluded after careful consideration and having reached an important juncture in my life, that in the short term, it will be absolutely necessary to concentrate all of my energies on my family during this crucial period.'' Mr. Woolridge's letter hinted at a legal challenge to the decision by the AME's ruling body to kick him out the pulpit in Southampton's Mount Zion Church after he was convicted.

He wrote: "Further, I may be expected to exhaust the current judicial proceedings which are being conducted on my behalf.

"In addition, my attorney is examining what other remedies that may be made available to me in respect of decisions which have been made by others and the extent to which I may have been injured and my career deleteriously affected.'' The letter to Ms Smith said: "The last few months has undoubtedly been a most difficult and painful period for the whole of my family, while I continue to strenuously maintain my innocence and apply my energies to the protection of my good name.'' The letter added that a serious family illness also demanded Mr. Woolridge's support and care in the immediate future.

And he paid tribute to Ms Smith -- who has come under fire for backing Mr.

Woolridge. He wrote: "You should know that your unswerving support over the last few months during this most difficult phase of my life is enormously appreciated.'' Ms Smith last night broke the news to stunned delegates at the party's annual conference in a short departure from her prepared speech.

She said: "The PLP's Central Committee has accepted Rev. Woolridge's decision in the best interest of the party and the chairman of the Hamilton Parish branch has been informed of same.'' Ms Smith drew fire from the victim -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- and from prominent women's rights advocates for her defence of Mr. Woolridge at a recent press conference.

Lawyer Saul Froomkin -- who took the private prosecution free of charge -- threatened legal action against Ms Smith. She claimed there had been a conspiracy to smear Mr. Woolridge and that "seemingly money had been made available'' for the case to be mounted.