| By Jeremy Au Yong | ||
 |  | Mr Sin admits falling short of standards of diligence expected of MPs. |
'On reflection I thought I should have sought some confirmation from the writer of the e-mail or separately verify the contents of the mail since I believe the privilege of free speech in this House imposes the higher standards of diligence on the part of its members,' he said in the House on Thursday.
'But to the extent that I have fallen short of these standards, I proffer my unreserved apology to those involved.'
In a speech on Wednesday, Mr Sin criticised the media's reporting of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) saga, and took issue especially with The Straits Times.
He read out excerpts from a widely circulated e-mail, from a person named Cheryl Ng, which accused the paper of bias in its handling of the issue.
Among the claims Mr Sin cited: That the main ST reporter covering the saga was 'hobnobbing with the homosexual fraternity at the EGM'; that members of the press were jubilant at the ousting of the new guard; and that there was a media cover-up of an amendment to give men full voting rights in Aware.
These accusations, he said, brought into question 'whether there should ever be an unregulated press'.
Before citing the e-mail, he said he did not know the writer, nor did he verify the e-mail's contents. He added: 'However, I would say that I would not be surprised if it were true and would be very concerned if it is.'
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