Sober resignation

Lutsenko's position in the Ukrainian government became increasingly untenable after German police and media reported he and his son had thrown objects at Lufthansa airline staff, and called security personnel "Nazi pigs."

The events led the pilot to bar the men from boarding the plane, citing their extreme intoxication.

Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko and the country's parliament must approve the resignation letter before Lutsenko can formally leave office.

Blood tests administered by German police on Lutsenko's son, Oleksander Lutsenko, found him to have a blood alcohol level close to three times safe levels.

Lutsenko senior avoided the blood test by showing German police a Ukrainian diplomatic passport.

Statements issued by Lutsenko's office have accused German media of inventing the incident, and claimed the dispute between the interior minister and airport security "was a small misunderstanding ... that was quickly resolved."