A POLITICIAN from an Egyptian conservative Islamist party resigned from Parliament after he was caught lying to cover up a nose job, claiming the injuries to his face were from a carjacking and beating.

Anwar al Balkimy represented the al Nour party, whose members follow a strict interpretation of Islam that forbids cosmetic surgery as meddling in God's work.

According to media reports, Mr al Balkimy checked into a Cairo hospital on February 28 for plastic surgery on his nose and the next day checked into a second hospital, where doctors said he tried to claim he had been beaten. He also reported to police that he was attacked during an attempt to steal his car on the outskirts of Cairo.