Mr Wong said he had tried "his very best" to see whether there was a way for Assoc Prof Faishal to continue in office, but concluded that this was no longer a private matter.

Most of the interactions between the former minister and the female member of the public took place through online messages, says Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Faishal, who is married with two children, was acting minister of Muslim affairs and senior minister of state for home affairs.