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Minister Andrew Griffiths resigns over texts to women Minister Andrew Griffiths resigns over texts to women
(35 minutes later)
The minister for small business, Andrew Griffiths, has resigned from the government after sending text messages of a sexual nature to two female constituents. The minister for small business, Andrew Griffiths, has resigned from government after sending text messages of a sexual nature to two female constituents.
The contents of the messages were revealed in the Sunday Mirror.The contents of the messages were revealed in the Sunday Mirror.
Mr Griffiths, MP for Burton and Theresa May's former chief of staff, told the Mirror he was "deeply ashamed". Mr Griffiths, MP for Burton, and Theresa May's chief of staff in opposition between 2004 and 2006, told the Mirror he was "deeply ashamed".
His behaviour had caused "untold distress" to his wife and family to whom he "owed everything", he said.His behaviour had caused "untold distress" to his wife and family to whom he "owed everything", he said.
Mr Griffiths also apologised for the "deep embarrassment" caused to the prime minister and the government, in a statement made to the newspaper.Mr Griffiths also apologised for the "deep embarrassment" caused to the prime minister and the government, in a statement made to the newspaper.
The MP has been following the two women on Snapchat for six months before making contact in June. The MP had been following the two women on Snapchat for six months before making contact in June.
Imogen Treharne, 28, told the Mirror the messages began one evening, after she posted a "racy" video.Imogen Treharne, 28, told the Mirror the messages began one evening, after she posted a "racy" video.
Mr Griffiths told the barmaid he believed one video in particular had been uploaded "for him to react", Ms Treharne said.Mr Griffiths told the barmaid he believed one video in particular had been uploaded "for him to react", Ms Treharne said.
Across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Snapchat, Mr Griffiths reportedly sent more than 2,000 messages in three weeks to Ms Treharne and another woman.Across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Snapchat, Mr Griffiths reportedly sent more than 2,000 messages in three weeks to Ms Treharne and another woman.
Ms Treharne said she "always asked him about his interests" but that the conversation "always turned back to sex".Ms Treharne said she "always asked him about his interests" but that the conversation "always turned back to sex".
She described the contents of the messages she received as "vile" and "disgusting".She described the contents of the messages she received as "vile" and "disgusting".
Mr Griffiths said he has referred himself to the Conservative Party's Code of Conduct procedures following discussions with the chief whip.Mr Griffiths said he has referred himself to the Conservative Party's Code of Conduct procedures following discussions with the chief whip.
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said Mr Griffiths, who decided to resign on Friday night, "jumped before he was pushed".BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said Mr Griffiths, who decided to resign on Friday night, "jumped before he was pushed".
Mr Griffiths, an MP since 2010, is well known to the prime minister having been her chief of staff in opposition. Mr Griffiths, 47, an MP since 2010, became a father in April when his wife gave birth to a baby girl.
He became a father in April when his wife gave birth to a baby girl.