The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Minister resigns after sending inappropriate texts to constituents
Minister ‘deeply ashamed’ of his behaviour and the embarrassment caused to his wife, family and party
A UK Government minister has quit after reportedly sending “depraved”text messages to two female constituents.
Andrew Griffiths resigned as minister for small business on Friday night for “personal reasons”, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said.
In a statement to the Sunday Mirror, which said it would be publishing details of the texts, Mr Griffiths, a former chief of staff to Theresa May, apologised to his local Conservative Party and to his constituents in Burton.
“I am deeply ashamed at my behaviour, which has caused untold distress to my wife and family, to whom I owe everything, and deep embarrassment to the prime minister and the government I am so proud to serve,” he said.
“Following discussions today with the chief whip, I have referred myself to the Conservative Party’s code of conduct procedures. I entirely accept that pending this investigation it is right the whip is withdrawn.
“I do not seek to excuse my behaviour and will be seeking professional help to ensure it never happens again. In time I hope to earn the forgiveness of all those who put their trust in me and that I have let down so terribly.
“The prime minister and the government she leads will continue to have my full support.”
Andrew Griffiths’ resignation comes after British politics was rocked by the so-called pestminster sleaze scandal that saw a number of male MPs accused of inappropriate behaviour.
A wave of allegations began to surface in October last year when four male MPs, including a minister, were accused of harassing or propositioning young women inappropriately.
The furore that enveloped Westminster as more allegations emerged eventually saw the resignation of several big names.
Sir Michael Fallon was one of the first to step down when he resigned as defence secretary.
He admitted to once touching a journalist’s knee and acknowledged that “in the past I have fallen below the high standards we require of the armed forces”.
In December Damian Green was sacked as first secretary of state over “misleading” statements about computer porn allegations dating back to 2008.
An inquiry began after a journalist accused Mr Green of sending her an inappropriate message and touching her on the knee in 2015.
The scandal also had consequences in Scotland, where Mark McDonald, the SNP minister for childcare and early years in the Scottish Government, resigned over past actions he said had been “considered to be inappropriate”.
Prior to last year’s revelations, Stephen Crabb resigned as work and pensions secretary after sending suggestive messages to a young woman.
The Tory leadership hopeful was later cleared of breaching party rules after an investigation found that, while his behaviour fell short of the party’s standards and was “inappropriate”, it did not constitute harassment.