Emil Tonev, head of the National Protective Service (NSO), has submitted his resignation, President Iliana Iotova said. It follows last night's incident involving an NSO officer and a journalist.

Iotova had first said she would ask Tonev to resign. Earlier today, Tonev himself said he was ready to step down.

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The president spoke to Tonev this morning about mistakes and failings at the NSO. She said she was not happy with what she heard. In her view, the security for the speaker of parliament was not what it should have been.

Iotova added that a person had fallen to the ground and someone should have offered a hand. She believes the service needs reform that starts with the law, because many of its problems are written into it.

Once the resignation is submitted, consultations with the Council of Ministers follow, so that the NSO head may be dismissed, the president said.