After being heavily criticized by his fellow Republicans for the embarrassing episode occurred in an airport restroom, Idaho Senator Larry Craig announced his resignation on Saturday during a press conference held in Boise.

Craig has been in the middle of a huge scandal after being arrested on June 11 for lewd behaviour by an undercover police officer at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct on August 8.

The 62-year-old politician received a 500-dollar fine and was sentenced to ten days in prison, but the sentence was suspended and Craig was placed on one-year’s probation.

During Saturday’s conference, the Idaho senator apologized once more and said he will leave the Senate on September 30.

” I chose to serve because I truly love Idaho. What is best for Idaho has always been the focus of my efforts, and it is no different today,” Craig said as his wife, children and other Idaho officials stood beside him.

“To the Idahoans I represent, to my staff, my Senate colleagues and, most importantly, my wife and our family, I apologize for what I have caused. I am deeply sorry.”

Craig said he can’t focus on his work due to this scandal and the problems that emerged after it and decided to step down.

“These are serious times of war and conflict - times that deserve the Senate and our full nation's attention,” he said.

“There are many challenges facing Idaho that I'm currently engaged in, and the people of Idaho deserve a Senator who can devote 100 per cent of his time and effort to critical state and national issues.”

After the news of his arrest broke out on August 27, numerous politicians asked for his resignation and leading Republican members pressured him to leave the committee posts in the Senate.

On Tuesday, he publicly apologized for tainting the image of his home state and outlined that he is innocent.

“I did nothing wrong at the Minneapolis airport ... and I regret the decision to plead guilty,” Craig said. “I am not gay, I never have been gay … In June, I overreacted and made a poor decision. I chose to plead guilty to a lesser charge in hopes of making it go away.”

Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter is expected to name Lt. Governor Jim Risch as Craig’s replacement until the end of his term in January 2009.