Aus minister resigns over 8216;dirty dancing8217;

The resignation came on the eve of a national newspaper, The Australian, publishing an unsourced report that Brown danced in 8220;very brief8221; underpants to techno music on a leather couch during a drunken late night party in his Parliament House office three months ago. He was then housing minister.

Rees said he demanded Brown8217;s resignation on Wednesday night because the former lawyer and university lecturer 8211; a state lawmaker for nine years 8211; initially gave assurances that 8220;absolutely nothing untoward8221; had happened during the party.

8220;I subsequently put it to former minister Brown late last night that there are too many reports of you in your underwear for me to ignore,8221; Rees told Fairfax Radio Network.

8220;He conceded he8217;d been in his underwear and that gave me no option but to demand his resignation,8221; Rees added.

Telephone calls to Brown8217;s office went unanswered on Thursday.

The scandal is a blow to Rees8217; efforts to revive the flagging fortunes of the 13-year-old Labor Party government with a new leadership team.

8220;Embarrassed doesn8217;t begin to describe it,8221; Rees said.