Independent councillor joins throng of scathing comments
THE only independent councillor in East Staffordshire has branded disgraced sex text MP Andrew Griffiths “deplorable” for “inciting women to commit sadomasochistic acts”.
It comes as more Burton Mail readers have had their say on the latest developments after Mr Griffiths, 47, was found to have sent 2,000 crude and disgusting text messages to two women in a two-week period.
Some of which asked them to beat each other, which he told them he hoped would cause bruising.
Former military police officer Deneice FlorenceJukes also felt married MP Mr Griffiths had exhibited “truly disgusting behaviour”.
The East Staffordshire Borough Council councillor for Horninglow was originally a member of the Conservatives but left the party earlier this year to become an independent.
She said there could be no recovering for the Burton MP and that he should resign.
However, he has refused to do so saying: “I want to continue the work I have done for those constituents and build on the achievements of the last eight years but in order to do that I know I need to try and rebuild the trust and confidence of everyone I represent.”
He resigned as Small Business Minister on Friday ahead of the story appearing in the Sunday Mirror but remains as an MP.
He has issued an apology for his actions.
Councillor Florence-Jukes told the Burton Mail: “Enough really is enough. Inciting women, young enough to be his daughters, to commit sadomasochistic acts upon each other for his own sexual gratification and paying them large sums of money in the process goes beyond deplorable.
“Then to try and insult electors intelligence with the lame excuse that his actions were a momentary lapse in behaviour is truly disgusting.”
Since the stories broke on Burton’s MP, who first won his seat in 2010 and was later re-elected last year, Burton Mail readers have had their say. Russell Harper said on the Burton Mail’s Facebook page that the best thing was for Mr Griffiths would be to step down.
He wrote: “He does not and cannot continue to represent the views morals and aims of families and individuals in Burton and Uttoxeter.
“His actions are exactly the type of behaviour we are trying to remove from society.
“I do feel for his family and I believe the best thing all round is to step down and spend time attempting to heal those family pains. But that really is a private matter and just my opinion.”
Pete Duffey said the MP should consider an alternative career, saying: “Go and get yourself a ‘normal’ job like the rest of us. I’m not aware of one decent thing you’ve done for this town. You’re just a very poor excuse of a politician.
“Like many have said, you weren’t wanted before this – so that should give you a pretty good idea of what people are thinking now. Get yourself gone, man.”
Bill Donger said: “The guy has more front than Blackpool! What makes him think we want anything to do with him after this?”