Conservative MP Steps Down from Committees in Response to Honey Trap Sexting Scandal
William Wragg is facing mounting political pressure and had to issue an apology after admitting he felt ‘manipulated’ by an individual he met on the gay dating app Grindr.
Following the scandal involving William Wragg, an MP has resigned from two parliamentary positions, including the influential Conservative Party’s 1922 Committee, for sharing phone numbers of politicians with a person he met on a gay dating app.
The influential 1922 Committee, consisting of Conservative backbench members of Parliament, discusses party matters, policies, and concerns.
Blackmailed
William Wragg, 36, disclosed to The Times Of London last week that he sent intimate photos to a stranger on Grindr and, fearing blackmail, shared colleagues’ phone numbers.
Additionally, he has stepped down from his role as the head of the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC).
Mr. Wragg expressed regret for his actions, acknowledging his “weakness” in response to the situation. While initially praised for his apology by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, political pressure has intensified recently due to security concerns.
‘They Wouldn’t Leave Me Alone’
Following the sexting incident, Mr. Wragg revealed, “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.”
Mr. Wragg elaborated, “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.”
Reports suggest that Scotland Yard is investigating the “honey trap” scam, as multiple MPs and journalists received messages from individuals posing as someone else to extract personal or sensitive data.
Tory MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns described Mr. Wragg’s behavior as “unforgivable” and shared her experience of being targeted for personal information.
The Epoch Times has reached out to Mr. Wragg for comment but has not received a response.
PA Media and Chris Summers contributed to this report.
