The privacy breach scandal at New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has claimed CEO Ralph Stewart, chairman John Judge and two other directors.

Mr Stewart quit last Wednesday, a day after Mr Judge resigned along with the deputy chairman and another director.

Mr Stewart told staff that the events of recent days and the departure of Mr Judge and the directors “has brought me to the point where I have decided to step down as CEO”.

He leaves after only nine months in the job and says he has been frustrated that the scheme’s benefits “and the great work we do has been overshadowed by recent events”.

The ACC is New Zealand’s state-owned no-fault accident insurer that provides cover for citizens and visitors to the country.

It has been mired in scandal after one of its clients, Bronwyn Pullar, was mistakenly sent details of more than 6700 claims and went public on the matter.

What has become known as the “Bronwyn Pullar affair” has already forced the resignation in March of ACC Minister Nick Smith.

The ACC told police in March that Ms Pullar had threatened to reveal the privacy breach unless she received a guaranteed benefit from a cycling accident in 2002.

She denied the allegation, which arose from a meeting she had with ACC officers last December, and police have found no evidence of an offence.

Ms Pullar made a recording of the meeting and it was aired on a television program on June 10.

Following the program, Mr Judge met the new ACC Minister, Judith Collins, who told him the contracts of the two other directors would not be renewed.

Mr Judge will remain as chairman until June 30 when another ACC director, Paula Rebstock, will become acting chairman.