CALGARY - Former Alberta premier Alison Redford is resigning her seat in the provincial legislature effective immediately.
In an opinion article written for Postmedia newspapers, Redford acknowledges mistakes were made during her time as leader of the governing Progressive Conservatives.
"In hindsight, there were many thing I would have done differently," she wrote. "That said, I accept responsibility for all the decisions I have made."
Redford resigned as premier in March after facing increased unrest within her caucus, fuelled by concerns over her leadership style and a $45,000 trip to South Africa for Nelson Mandela's funeral.
Since leaving office, she has faced increased criticism over her travel habits.
Last week, the CBC reported that a leaked review from Alberta auditor general Merwan Saher found that passenger lists on government aircraft were altered so Redford could fly alone.
It's expected that Saher's full report will be released to members of the legislature and the public on Thursday.
"I will leave it to others to analyze and comment on the past. I am sure that I will be asked to weigh in, but I will respectfully decline," she writes.
"It is time to move forward."
There had been calls from within her own party to give up her Calgary-Elbow seat.
Thomas Lukaszuk, one of the men vying to become the next leader of Alberta's Conservatives, has called for an emergency caucus meeting to discuss Redford's continued membership in the party.
Redford says in the letter that she will not accept a transition allowance given to members of the legislature who leave their seats.
She concludes her letter by thanking her friends and family.
"My family stood by me throughout and in the course of my political career there are some truly unique friends who have been volunteers and who have worked in my office," she says.
"I thank each and every one of them for their friendship and loyalty in the face of some very difficult circumstances."