Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SEX-TEXT MP REPORTED TO COPS FOR STALKING EX
Disgraced ex-minister denies latest sensational claim
SEX-TEXTER Tory Andrew Griffiths was once reported to police over claims that he was harassing an ex.
The woman feared the former minister – exposed over degrading texts to women – was following her. He denies harassment.
SHAMED former Tory minister Andrew Griffiths was yesterday accused of harassing a former partner he allegedly cheated on.
A source claimed the MP – exposed last week over 2,000 sex texts sent to two women constituents – had been unfaithful to the long-term lover.
She was said to have had no knowledge that he was also downloading porn and, the source claimed, her life became a misery as her relationship with Griffiths unravelled.
After they split five years ago she then reported him to police, claiming he was harassing her.
The alleged victim, who we are not naming, attended a police station in Central London after the pair separated following a relationship lasting several years.
MEETINGS
She accused Griffiths, 47, of staging “accidental” meetings in the street and following her.
As police prepared to confront Griffiths the woman decided not to go ahead with her complaint, saying she feared reprisals because of his Westminster connections.
It is not clear if Griffiths was ever made aware of the complaint as he was not arrested nor spoken to by officers – and no further action was taken.
Yesterday a spokesman for the MP denied the harassment claims and said: “Mr Griffiths has never engaged in any harassment or abusive conduct.
“These allegations were never put to him at the time and he has had no contact from the police.”
The new claims came as the disgraced politician faced growing demands to step down as MP for Burton and Uttoxeter.
But the married father of one, a former chief of staff to PM Theresa May when the Tories were in opposition, is desperate to cling on and has gone to ground.
He enjoys a comfortable 10,000 majority following the last general election. Senior Tories want him to stand down so he can be replaced in a by-election.
They believe explicit and depraved sex texts he sent to two barmaids will do irreparable harm to the party nationally if he is allowed to stay.
One of the barmaids, Imogen Treharne, 28, yesterday made a formal complaint to the Conservative Party’s Code of Conduct disciplinary body, which will investigate the behaviour of former banker Griffiths.
Imogen said: “I cannot believe he is still my MP. Nobody in Burton wants him any more, but he has the brass neck to cling on.
“He’s shown he’s this Jekyll and Hyde character and left government, so why is he still fit to serve us? I don’t understand it.” Tory bigwigs reckon they can win the seat if the contest is held quickly, even if their majority is reduced.
FRESH
But with Parliament breaking up for the Summer recess on Tuesday, Tory Chief Whip Julian Smith will have to wait until September to move the writ for a by-election.
That would see a new MP in place in time to help Theresa May survive more crisis Brexit votes in October.
Griffiths last appeared in the House of Commons on Tuesday for Mrs May’s knife-edge EU vote.
He has told friends he stands no chance of being reselected for his seat while the scandal is so fresh in the minds of local association members.
Griffiths has now referred himself to the Tory disciplinary body Imogen Treharne has written to. And he has not been seen all week at the family home in Anslow, Burton, Staffs, which he shares with wife Kate, 47, and their three-month-old daughter Alice.
Imogen, meanwhile, travelled to London to reveal how she had been bolstered by the support she has received since revealing the dark side to Griffiths’ character.
She said outside Parliament: “My
His departure as an MP is what he deserves.. and what the country deserves too
VOICE OF THE SUNDAY MIRROR
SEE PAGE 14
inbox has been full of messages from women who say I did the right thing.
“Women who say they have had similar experiences with men.”
She also defended herself against trolls who claimed she deliberately targeted the MP.
She added: “Some people claimed I encouraged him, or trapped him somehow. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
“We are both young, single girls. We were excited, curious and flattered when he first contacted us.
“He is a married man in a powerful position who pretends he stands up for values he showed in conversations with us that he doesn’t.
“He had disgusting desires that I was afraid he would act on if we continued speaking to him. He even boasted he had already harmed women.
“That was the last straw.”
The Sunday Mirror revealed how Griffiths sent sordid messages from his taxpayerfunded phone and demanded the girls sent him nude pictures and videos over a three-week period.
The MP sent Imogen’s pal £700 and offered to rent a flat to meet for a threesome.
He also asked them to tie each other up and boasted: “I can be an evil ******* when I’m turned on.”
Griffiths even bragged “Daddy’s busy running the country” and sent the girls pictures he had taken from inside Buckingham Palace.
Since then it has emerged he was put under investigation over allegations of inappropriately touching a local Conservative councillor.
In 2016 Griffiths was accused by Deneice Florence-Jukes of being “very forward” after he allegedly held her waist and touched her knee.
No further action was taken after he said it was “implausible” he would have done so in a crowded room.
Angry voters last week stuck a copy of the Sunday Mirror’s front page – headlined “Married minister quits over 2,000 sex texts” – to the window of the East Staffs Conservative Association HQ in Burton-Upon-Trent.
Council leader Richard Grosvenor said: “The town hasn’t got a functioning MP. We don’t know where he is.”
UNACCEPTABLE
Griffiths’ former campaign manager John Wheatley said the MP was a bully who made sexual comments about women and remarked on the size of their breasts.
He added: “The Conservative Party doesn’t need someone like Andrew. What he’s done is unacceptable.”
And Paul Walker, chairman of the Burton and Uttoxeter Labour Party, said Griffiths had no option but to quit the seat. He added: “He’s disgraced himself, embarrassed his family and his constituents.”
The Tory tribunal considering the Griffiths case will have at least three members appointed by party chairman Brandon Lewis.
It can recommend Griffiths is expelled from the party, ending his hopes of standing for the Tories.
Complainants make written submissions and may be asked to appear personally to give evidence.
If expulsion is recommended that verdict would have to be confirmed by Theresa May personally.
In that event Griffiths would have 28 days to appeal.