This afternoon, he issued a statement through Iles Selley Lawyers, the law firm representing him, saying: “It is not my wish to promote further political uncertainty or to provoke some form of constitutional dispute over the power of the Legislative Council to expel a member.”

“In the circumstances, I have determined that the most appropriate course is to resign from the Legislative Council, with immediate effect,” he wrote.

Finnigan was on Tuesday found guilty of obtaining child pornography, but no conviction was recorded, pending sentencing submissions. This prompted heated debate as to whether he should relinquish his seat – and salary – with Premier Jay Weatherill moving to have him expelled.

Finnigan says he has today tendered his resignation to Upper House president Russell Wortley, after giving “careful consideration to the views expressed by my colleagues, family and friends”.

“In addition, I am conscious of the need to protect the integrity of the judicial process, which has not yet concluded, and the dignity of the parliament,” he wrote.

“I sincerely hope that both politicians and the public will respect the need for the judicial process to be concluded without undue public comment or interference.”

Finnigan says he will make no further public statement “until the Court has dealt with the question of sentencing”.

Premier Jay Weatherill welcomed the resignation, saying: “The proper course of action has now been taken.”