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| Brooks Newmark quits as Tory MP over 'explicit photos' sexting scandal | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| A Tory minister quit the government tonight after a newspaper reported that he had sent an explicit photograph to an undercover journalist posing as a young, female party activist. | A Tory minister quit the government tonight after a newspaper reported that he had sent an explicit photograph to an undercover journalist posing as a young, female party activist. |
| Downing Street said that Prime Minister David Cameron had accepted the resignation of Brooks Newmark, 56, a father-of-five, from his role as Minister for Civil Society. | Downing Street said that Prime Minister David Cameron had accepted the resignation of Brooks Newmark, 56, a father-of-five, from his role as Minister for Civil Society. |
| It followed a sting by the Sunday Mirror in which the newspaper claimed Mr Newmark had sent a 'graphic' photo of himself over the internet. | It followed a sting by the Sunday Mirror in which the newspaper claimed Mr Newmark had sent a 'graphic' photo of himself over the internet. |
| His resignation capped a difficult day for the Tories, who also suffered the defection of MP Mark Reckless to UKIP in a move which will trigger a by-election in Rochester and Strood. | His resignation capped a difficult day for the Tories, who also suffered the defection of MP Mark Reckless to UKIP in a move which will trigger a by-election in Rochester and Strood. |
| The Sunday Mirror reported how their journalist had made contact with Mr Newmark, who has been charge of a party campaign to get more women involved in Tory politics, co-founding the Women2Win group, over Twitter. | The Sunday Mirror reported how their journalist had made contact with Mr Newmark, who has been charge of a party campaign to get more women involved in Tory politics, co-founding the Women2Win group, over Twitter. |
| A male reporter set up a profile under the name of 'Sophie Wittams' with bio details which read 'twenty-something Tory PR girl'. The account included a picture of a blonde woman. | A male reporter set up a profile under the name of 'Sophie Wittams' with bio details which read 'twenty-something Tory PR girl'. The account included a picture of a blonde woman. |
| Initial conversations about tennis with Mr Newmark and the Conservative Party later turned into private online chats of a more adult nature, the newspaper reported. | Initial conversations about tennis with Mr Newmark and the Conservative Party later turned into private online chats of a more adult nature, the newspaper reported. |
| Before sending one picture, Mr Newmark said: “You MUST swear on a stack of Bibles you won't show pics as I promise not to show pics of you? OK?” | Before sending one picture, Mr Newmark said: “You MUST swear on a stack of Bibles you won't show pics as I promise not to show pics of you? OK?” |
| The Sunday Mirror said that on another occasion Mr Newmark sent 'Sophie' a message which read: “I want a standing full body shot but you can cover up any modest bits you wish.” | The Sunday Mirror said that on another occasion Mr Newmark sent 'Sophie' a message which read: “I want a standing full body shot but you can cover up any modest bits you wish.” |
| And after receiving another photo, the newspaper said Mr Newmark had replied by saying “resend without your hand in the way and legs parted and I will send something in return.” | And after receiving another photo, the newspaper said Mr Newmark had replied by saying “resend without your hand in the way and legs parted and I will send something in return.” |
| Mr Newmark said in a statement this evening: “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 remain a loyal supporter of this Government as its long term economic plan continues to deliver for the British people.” | Mr Newmark said in a statement this evening: “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 remain a loyal supporter of this Government as its long term economic plan continues to deliver for the British people.” |
| Downing Street said Rob Wilson will take over as Minister for Civil Society. “The Prime Minister has accepted Brooks Newmark's resignation,” a statement said. | Downing Street said Rob Wilson will take over as Minister for Civil Society. “The Prime Minister has accepted Brooks Newmark's resignation,” a statement said. |