Member of the opposition in the Western Australian (WA) government, Nationals MP James Hayward, has resigned from the party following charges of child sexual abuse offences. The 52-year-old stood in the Perth Magistrates Court on Dec. 2. facing multiple charges relating to an 8-year-old girl, which included indecent dealings and persistent sexual conduct—a conviction that bears a maximum prison term of 20 years. The West Australian reported that police arrested Hayward on Dec. 1 after receiving a call from his wife after she said her husband had sent her an email saying he “intended to end his life” and that he wanted to say “goodbye.” He was granted a combined bail of $60,000 and is due to reappear on Dec. 13. Hayward has resigned from the party after being formally suspended but has not yet announced his resignation from parliament. But Nationals leader Mia Davies has called for his resignation …