An MLA who spent a night in jail after police got involved in a dispute he was having with his wife has resigned from the British Columbia Liberal Party's caucus.

"Last night, I was involved in a dispute with my wife, that led to police involvement, and I was held in custody overnight," said Pat Pimm, the MLA for Peace River North in a prepared email statement. "I have decided to take a leave from Caucus and resign my Parliamentary Secretary post effective immediately.

"It’s time for me to work on family and personal issues," he said. "I am very proud to serve the constituents of Peace River North and will continue to work hard to represent their interests in Victoria."

Government caucus chair Ron Cantelon said the Fort St. John RCMP took Pimm into custody and released him this morning. "The Government Caucus will review the matter once the legal process has unfolded," he said.

Pimm was the parliamentary secretary for natural gas in the government led by Premier Christy Clark.

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.