MOSCOW, October 11 (RIA Novosti) – A Russian lawmaker caught up in an in-flight scandal involving his aide said Friday that he had stepped down from key posts in the ruling United Russia party, but stressed that he would continue to play an active role in it.
Andrei Isayev hit the headlines Wednesday after the nation’s top airline kicked his aide off a plane for causing an alcohol-fueled scene, and immediately submitted his resignation as deputy secretary of the United Russia party’s ruling body.
On Friday, the pro-Kremlin United Russia party granted Isayev’s request to be relieved of his duties on its council and to suspend his membership of its presidium.
He retains his seat in the Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, and his position as chair of the Duma committee on employment, social policy and veterans’ affairs.
Isayev also told journalists Friday that he has asked to take 10 days off so he can get treatment for “pre-existing medical conditions” at a clinic near Moscow.
