BC

Premier Christy Clark accepted the resignation Friday of one of her closest advisers as the political fall-out over a leaked strategy aimed at wooing ethnic voters continued to rock the Liberal government.

Kim Haakstad, who was Clark's deputy chief of staff and has worked with the premier for years, resigned as the controversy over the ethnic vote courting strategy tore at caucus unity.

"Kim reached her decision after much consideration of her roles and responsibilities," Clark said in a three-sentence statement late Friday afternoon.

"Consistent with circumstances of resignations, no severance payment applies."

At least one Liberal MLA slammed his own party publicly over the leaked memo, which appeared to condone using public money to help the Liberals spread their ethnic message in time for the May 14 election.