The Tory MP at the heart of a Westminster sexting scandal has stood down from two top Commons posts.
William Wragg, the MP for Hazel Grove, has resigned as the chair of the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACA) and vice chair of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs.
Mr Wragg, who was first elected to parliament in 2015 at the age of 27, apologised last week after admitting to The Times that he had shared MPs’ personal phone numbers with a person he met on a dating app.
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is investigating following reports that a number of “unsolicited messages” were sent to MPs over recent months.
The MP, who has already announced he is standing down at the next election, told the newspaper: “They had compromising things on me. They wouldn’t leave me alone.
“They would ask for people. I gave them some numbers, not all of them. I told him to stop. He’s manipulated me and now I’ve hurt other people.
“I got chatting to a guy on an app and we exchanged pictures. We were meant to meet up for drinks, but then didn’t.
“Then he started asking for numbers of people. I was worried because he had stuff on me. He gave me a WhatsApp number, which doesn’t work now. I’ve hurt people by being weak.
“I was scared. I’m mortified. I’m so sorry that my weakness has caused other people hurt.”
There have been reports this week that a serving minister, some MPs, party staffers and political journalists were among those who received unsolicited messages from two unknown WhatsApp users.
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While some MPs have praised Mr Wragg for his apology, others have been less sympathetic and have called for Mr Wragg to have the party whip removed – which would force him to sit as an independent MP in the Commons.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt praised Mr Wragg for his “courageous and fulsome apology” while Oliver Dowden, the deputy prime minister, told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that his colleague “behaved in a foolish way, and by his own admission he did so, and has apologised for it”.
“I think he deserves some credit for being open and transparent about it, and I think it’s right we should be open and transparent about the range of the cyber threats that everyone faces, particularly elected politicians,” he said.
However, other politicians have been less sympathetic, including Labour London mayor Sadiq Khan, who told Politico Mr Wragg should quit if the prime minister doesn’t sack him first.
He told the news website: “I think it’s now at a stage where, as a legislator, he should resign. I think there’s also a question about Rishi Sunak’s judgement.”
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Sky News understands that Mr Wragg will not lose the party whip over the matter, meaning he can remain in the Conservative parliamentary party.
A parliamentary spokesperson said: “Parliament takes security extremely seriously and works closely with [the] government in response to such incidents.
“We provide members and staff with tailored advice, making them aware of security risks and how to manage their digital safety.
“We are encouraging anyone affected who has concerns to contact the parliamentary security department.”
