Minister who quit over sex texts apologises to voters

THE minister who resigned after bombarding two women with lewd texts has apologised to his constituents for his behaviour, which he described as “a few moments of stupidity”.

Andrew Griffiths resigned on Friday as minister for small business after a newspaper uncovered 2,000 messages he sent to Imogen Treharne, 28, and her friend over the course of two weeks.

The messages began as flirting and then reportedly turned into a barrage of sex texts. Mr Griffiths, the MP for Burton & Uttoxeter, sent the girls money in return for X-rated pictures and videos. The contents of the messages were revealed in yesterday’s Sunday Mirror.

Ms Treharne said she “always asked him about his interests” but that the conversation “always turned back to sex”. She described the contents of the messages as “vile” and “disgusting”.

The married MP, whose daughter was born three months ago, had been following the two women on Snapchat for six months before making contact in June. Mr Griffiths, 47, who served as Theresa May’s chief of staff in opposition between 2004 and 2006, said he was “deeply ashamed”.

His behaviour had caused “untold distress” to his wife and family to whom he “owed everything”, he said.

Two petitions have been launched calling for Mr Griffiths to resign as an MP. Mr Griffiths yesterday apologised to his constituents.

In a statement to the Burton Mail, he said: “I would like to personally apologise to everyone in Burton and Uttoxeter for my actions over a two-week period. The messages were written during a period of great personal pressure and in no way represent my views or actions. I have chosen to resign as Parliamentary Under-secretary of State for Small Business as my behaviour fell well below the standards expected of me.

“I hope that people will judge me on my actions and achievements during eight years as Member of Parliament for Burton and Uttoxeter rather than a few moments of stupidity.”