VIENNA 18 May (ANA) - Austria's Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache has resigned a day after secret video footage mired him in a corruption scandal. 

The video appeared to show Mr Strache discussing government contracts with an alleged Russian investor in return for campaign support.

He also appeared to hint at a potentially illegal donation system for the far-right Freedom Party he leads.

He blamed his actions on alcohol and acting like a "teenager."

Mr Strache said that transport minister Norbert Hofer will replace him.

He said that his actions had been "stupid" and "irresponsible" and he was leaving to avoid further damage to the government. 

Mr Strache claimed he was the "victim of a targeted political attack" that had used illegal means. 

"There is still a lot to do because we want to continue implementing the government's programme and we stand by it out of responsibility for Austria and its people," the vice-chancellor said. 

"As an individual I must not be the reason for stopping that and perhaps providing a pretext to break this government - for that was the aim of this illegal, smear campaign."(ANA)

FA/ANA/18 May 2019-------