German state prosecutors have opened an investigation against former Agriculture

German state prosecutors have opened an investigation against former Agriculture Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich on suspicion of breach of official secrecy in connection with a child porn affair.

Prosecutors in Berlin reportedly said Norbert Lammert, President of the German parliament, was informed about the investigation at least 48 hours before it starts, meaning Friedrich automatically loses his immunity as parliament member and prosecutors can have a free hand to open the probe, according to German regulations.

Friedrich, member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), resigned about two weeks ago amid accusations that he leaked confidential data about a child porn investigation involving a parliament member.

The resignation makes him the first minister of Chancellor Angela Merkel's new cabinet to leave. He served as Agriculture Minister for two months, after previously holding the post of Interior Minister for more than two years in Merkel's last government.

Merkel's new coalition government consists of her Christian Democratic Union(CDU)and its Bavarian sister party CSU as well as the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

SPD Leaders confirmed earlier that Friedrich had informed them back last October of the investigation into fellow party member Sebastian Edathy, who has been targeted by authorities as part of a child pornography investigation.

Friedrich's resignation has led to a rift between Merkel's coalition partners. CSU leaders expressed frustration and accused the SPD of "breach of trust". A German parliamentary committee has begun hearings related to the Edathy affair.