‘I know I have a lot of work to do to win back the trust of those I work with ... and those I represent’
MP Andrew Griffiths says he is looking forward to doing what he enjoys most; standing up for his constituents, despite a warning from the local Conservative Party that the constituency could suffer a continuing “reduced level of representation”.
East Staffordshire Conservatives Association chairman Conor Wileman has confirmed that a so far unnamed neighbouring MP could be asked to help Mr Griffiths’ recovery process after the national Tory Party revealed it would not be taking any further action over his sex text shame.
It comes as the local party search for a Tory candidate to represent Burton and East Staffordshire at the next general election has been suspended by the national Conservative Party.
The MP, whose constituency includes villages such as Mayfield and Ellastone, has said that it had been a distressing time for him after he told how he had suffered a breakdown in the wake of the scandal when there were national and local calls for him to resign.
He also told how he had suffered with mental health issues and had been abused as a child.
Speaking out following the outcome of the investigation, Mr Griffiths said: “This has been a distressing and difficult time.
“I am grateful that the panel have recognised the impact and consequences of my mental health breakdown at the time of the events and have accepted the compelling medical evidence put before them.
“I am grateful for the care and support I have received around my very public breakdown and would like to apologise to everyone concerned for the distress caused as a result.
“I know I have a lot of work to do to win back the trust of those I work with and those I represent, and that is what I am determined to do.
“I now look forward to carrying on with my work, and to doing what I enjoy most – standing up for the people of Burton and Uttoxeter and getting things done for them.
“I can assure them of the same dedicated hard work and 100 per cent effort that I have put in over the last eight years.”
East Staffordshire Tory bosses confirmed they have delayed selecting the candidate to represent the area until the New Year after the national Conservative Party ruled it would not be appropriate to take further action over Mr Griffiths due to his mental health issues.
Tories in East Staffordshire began to select a candidate unusually early in the wake of the revelations that Mr Griffiths had sent a series of sexually explicit messages to two barmaids, including Imogen Treharne, who went public with her claims of the MP sending more than 2,000 sex texts in just a fortnight – so many they drained her phone battery flat.
A General Election is potentially fewer than four years off – notwithstanding the twists and turns of the Brexit process – and parties generally do not choose a candidate so early.
The MP has already said he wants to be considered to be the constituency candidate again.
East Staffordshire Conservative Association also said members have voted to request that the party consider asking a neighbouring MP to help Mr Griffiths while he is recovering.
However, it has not yet been decided who this will be.
The MP has said that he suffered mental health issues and had a breakdown in the wake of the national and local outrage at his actions.
He did apologise for his behaviour at the time to his family, constituents and the Prime Minister and chose to step down from his role as small business minister.
The national Tory Party has admitted the married father-of-one had ‘potentially breached’ its code of conduct after sending the messages. Mr Wileman said: “Andrew’s current mental health status is something both the national Conservative Party and our local association are taking extremely seriously.
“We are aware from speaking to Burton and Uttoxeter residents that they have a range of opinions about Andrew’s article in the Sunday Times.
“However I think it is widely agreed that when someone has put their entire political career and private life in jeopardy due to their own actions, it is absolutely possible this would trigger a mental health crisis. “We are therefore in an incredibly difficult position because while we want to get on with our selection process as soon as possible, when the evidence suggests someone is unwell, we also have a moral duty to ensure that such a process is sympathetic to that person’s recovery.
“Our executive council (effectively our governing body) met on Wednesday night, November 22, to discuss the outcome and the national board decision.
“In light of the above, it voted to request that the party consider asking a neighbouring MP to help Andrew while he is recovering, just as would happen with an MP suffering from a physical medical condition.
“Members made it absolutely clear that they wished to see support offered to Andrew, to help him through this recovery phase, but also to answer the valid criticism that the constituency has had a reduced level of representation and may continue to do so.
“While we are required to wait, it remains the case that East Staffordshire Conservatives’ members will have the final say on whether they believe Andrew Griffiths should continue to be their Conservative parliamentary candidate and most importantly of all, whoever our candidate is for the next General Election, Burton and Uttoxeter residents will have their say on who they want as their MP.”
I am grateful the panel have recognised the consequences of my mental health.