Disgraced MP avoids further action due to ‘mental state’

A CONSERVATIVE MP who sent sexual messages to two barmaids will face no further action from the party because of his “mental state”, it emerged last night.

Andrew Griffiths resigned as small business minister in July after lewd messages sent to the women were published in a newspaper. A party investigation found he may have breached the Conservatives’ code of conduct.

But, “given his state of mental health both now and at the time”, it concluded further action would be inappropriate.

The party whip remains withdrawn and he continues to sit as an independent MP. A House of Commons investigation is ongoing.

The 47-year-old married MP for Burton and Uttoxeter had been following the two women from his constituency on Snapchat for six months before making contact in June.

He subsequently referred himself for investigation by the Conservative Party’s independent code of conduct panel after the contents of the messages were published in the Sunday Mirror. He reportedly sent them more than 2,000 messages in three weeks.

Mr Griffiths, who became a father earlier this year, apologised for the “deep embarrassment” caused to the Prime Minister and the Government.

East Staffordshire Conservatives, his local party, said its prospective parliamentary candidate selection process had been suspended by Tory party officials, but would be reviewed in the new year. Conor Wileman, the association’s chairman, added that members “will have the final say” on whether they believe Mr Griffiths should continue to be their parliamentary candidate for the general election.

A Conservative Party spokesman said a panel chaired by an independent QC concluded that the MP’S conduct was a potential breach of the party’s code, but taking further action would be inappropriate given his health.