Hall of Fame honour for senator despite sex sting

US SENATOR Larry Craig, pictured, has been chosen for induction into the Idaho Hall of Fame, despite his arrest and guilty plea in an airport sex sting.

The non-profit Idaho Hall of Fame Association picked Craig in March, months before he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after a Minneapolis airport police officer accused him of soliciting sex in the men’s restroom, the organisation’s board chairman said.

“Larry Craig has made a great contribution to Idaho over the period of 20-some years. At the time it was considered this other matter had not come up,” said Harry Magnuson.

But some Republicans said the honour is inappropriate. Kootenai County Republican precinct committeeman Phil Thompson said Idaho Hall of Fame officials should consider at least postponing the induction.

“Maybe in 10 or 15 years we can think of this Hall of Fame stuff. Now is not the time,” he said. “It’s a sad day to be a Republican.”

Craig vowed on Thursday to serve out the last 15 months of his term.