Trans MP charged with fleeing scene of a car crash

THE first MP to come out as transgender has been charged with failing to stop after being involved in a car crash last year.

Jamie Wallis was arrested on suspicion of “driving whilst unfit” after crashing his Mercedes on Nov 28, less than two miles from his South Wales home.

At the time the Tory MP for Bridgend said he was “assisting police with their inquiries”. He allegedly hit a telegraph pole at 1.10am, cutting off the internet in a local village for several days.

Mr Wallis has also been charged with failing to report an accident, driving without due care and attention and leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position. He is due to appear before Cardiff magistrates’ court on May 10.

In a statement released last month, Mr Wallis said he wanted to transition to be a woman and had suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after being raped by a man he met online. After the experience he said he “felt very ashamed and empty inside” and suffered nightmares and flashbacks as a result.

The 37-year-old also disclosed he had been targeted by a blackmailer in 2020 who threatened to “out him” unless he paid £50,000. He said the offender was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison after admitting his guilt.

In February this year, Mr Wallis was fined £270 and received three penalty points on his licence after admitting crossing a solid white line while driving.