National Party dumps Richard Torbay over links to Obeid Dumped ... Richard Torbay / Pic: Tim Barnsley Source: The Daily Telegraph INDEPENDENT MP RICHARD Torbay has resigned from State Parliament following revelations he was linked to disgraced former powerbroker Eddie Obeid. Mr Torbay informed the NSW Parliament this morning that he would be resigning his position as member for Northern Tablelands immediately, forcing a by election in the seat he has held since 1999. The announcement will be made by speaker Shelley Hancock Question Time this afternoon. Mr Torbay did not return calls Mr Torbay was forced to quit as the federal Nationals candidate for New England last night over his close links to Mr Obeid, and allegations the powerbroker sponsored his parliamentary career, including securing him as the speaker following the 2007 election. NSW Nationals chairman Niall Blair said there had already been "enormous support" for Mr Joyce to run in the federal Seat following Mr Torbay's decision. Torbay claimed yesterday it was always his intention to resign from NSW parliament this year after 14 years, but he brought it forward. "My intention always was to leave the state seat this year but have brought it forward," he said. I have enjoyed my years in public life serving the communities of the Northern Tablelands. Their support for me has been overwhelming and heart-warming and I thank them for it. We have achieved some great things together and I will always cherish the friendships I have made and the interaction I have had with people during my time as MP. Mr Torbay said the downside of politics was the continual strain on family and private life. "It is demanding and time consuming to do the job properly and given the events of recent days and the toll it has taken on my family I feel the time has come to consider other options," he said. My wife Rosemary, my children and my extended family have always been extremely supportive during my time in politics. Mr Torbay said his electorate office would remain open and all enquiries should be directed to that office. It comes after Mr Torbay was disendorsed by the Nationals last night. Party chairman Niall Blair said: "The party has received information ... of which we were not previously aware regarding Mr Torbay. The matters in question predate Mr Torbay's membership of The Nationals. We will immediately proceed to preselect a new candidate ... to take the fight up to Tony Windsor and the Gillard Labor government. Standing as an independent, Mr Torbay won the NSW seat of Northern Tablelands in 1999 and then again in 2003 and 2007. In 2007 Mr Torbay accepted an offer by Premier Morris Iemma to become speaker of the house - a move supported by Eddie Obeid to ensure the Labor government ruled with a greater majority. Fairfax Media last week reported that Mr Obeid's meeting diary revealed that Mr Torbay had frequent meetings with the now disgraced former Labor MP. Federal independent MP Rob Oakeshott also made reference to the connection with Mr Obeid on Twitter as the news broke. As stated before, the reach of Obeid went beyond one political party. And is one of the reasons why I'm now independent MP. Good luck Tony Windsor," Mr Oakeshott tweeted. Mr Windsor, the member for New England, shed light on the connection between Mr Torbay and Mr Obeid in an article in the Australian Financial Review on Monday. "It seems as though being advised and mentored by Obeid means he's got a few questions to answer," Mr Windsor had said. It is understood Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner and senior MP Andrew Fraser pleaded with Mr Franklin not to pre-select Mr Torbay. The decision prevented Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce from running in the seat. Mr Joyce last night indicated he would consider contesting the seat. "Ben Franklin hand-picked Torbay and backed him in against the advice of senior MPs," a source said. This is a critical error for Mr Franklin who has been too busy worrying about his own parliamentary ambitions rather than the good of the party. Mr Torbay said last night: "Given the current toxic political environment, I do not want to put my family, the community or myself through an ongoing smear campaign."