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| Brooks Newmark: I have been a complete fool, says Conservative ex-minister | |
| (8 months later) | |
| The Conservative MP who stepped down as minister for civil society over a newspaper story about his private life has said he has been "a complete fool". | The Conservative MP who stepped down as minister for civil society over a newspaper story about his private life has said he has been "a complete fool". |
| Brooks Newmark told the BBC: "I have no-one to blame but myself. I have hurt those I care about most." | Brooks Newmark told the BBC: "I have no-one to blame but myself. I have hurt those I care about most." |
| The MP for Braintree in Essex is reported to have sent an explicit image of himself to an undercover reporter from the Sunday Mirror. | The MP for Braintree in Essex is reported to have sent an explicit image of himself to an undercover reporter from the Sunday Mirror. |
| In a resignation statement, he asked for his privacy to be respected. | In a resignation statement, he asked for his privacy to be respected. |
| In his comments to BBC political correspondent Chris Mason, Mr Newmark added: "I am so, so sorry. But I just need time with my family". | In his comments to BBC political correspondent Chris Mason, Mr Newmark added: "I am so, so sorry. But I just need time with my family". |
| The Sunday Mirror said its reporter had been posing as a young female activist. | The Sunday Mirror said its reporter had been posing as a young female activist. |
| 'Loyal supporter' | 'Loyal supporter' |
| Mr Newmark's announcement on Saturday came on the eve of the Conservative party conference and hours after fellow Tory MP Mark Reckless said he was quitting the party to join UKIP. | Mr Newmark's announcement on Saturday came on the eve of the Conservative party conference and hours after fellow Tory MP Mark Reckless said he was quitting the party to join UKIP. |
| In his resignation statement, the 56-year-old said: "I have decided to resign as minister for civil society having been notified of a story to be published in a Sunday newspaper. | In his resignation statement, the 56-year-old said: "I have decided to resign as minister for civil society having been notified of a story to be published in a Sunday newspaper. |
| "I would like to appeal for the privacy of my family to be respected at this time. | "I would like to appeal for the privacy of my family to be respected at this time. |
| "I remain a loyal supporter of this government as its long-term economic plan continues to deliver for the British people." | "I remain a loyal supporter of this government as its long-term economic plan continues to deliver for the British people." |
| Mr Newmark, who has been the MP for Braintree since 2005 and became minister for civil society in July, is married and has five children. | Mr Newmark, who has been the MP for Braintree since 2005 and became minister for civil society in July, is married and has five children. |
| Rob Wilson, Conservative MP for Reading East, has been appointed as Mr Newmark's replacement at the Cabinet Office. | Rob Wilson, Conservative MP for Reading East, has been appointed as Mr Newmark's replacement at the Cabinet Office. |
| Speaking on Sky News, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said Mr Newmark had "done the right thing" in resigning from ministerial office. | Speaking on Sky News, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said Mr Newmark had "done the right thing" in resigning from ministerial office. |
| Asked whether he thought Mr Newmark had been entrapped, Mr Fallon said he was unable to comment as he "hadn't seen the details". | Asked whether he thought Mr Newmark had been entrapped, Mr Fallon said he was unable to comment as he "hadn't seen the details". |
| Another MP, Nadine Dorries, told Sky his resignation was only a "distraction" to the start of the Conservative Party conference. | Another MP, Nadine Dorries, told Sky his resignation was only a "distraction" to the start of the Conservative Party conference. |
| She said Mr Newmark had been "stupid... he's let himself down and his family down, but I don't think it's that big a deal". | She said Mr Newmark had been "stupid... he's let himself down and his family down, but I don't think it's that big a deal". |