‘Honeytrap’ MP William Wragg Gives Up The Tory Whip

The Tory MP on the centre of the Westminster honeytrap spear-phishing scandal has voluntarily given up the Tory whip.

William Wragg’s determination got here a day after he resigned as a vice-chair of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers, in addition to chairman of the Commons public administration and constitutional affairs committee.

The 36-year-old final week admitted giving the cellphone numbers of different MPs to an individual he met on the relationship app Grindr.

Wragg stated he had been “weak” after changing into involved that the person had “compromising” materials on him.

An announcement from the Tory whips workplace tonight stated: “Following Will Wragg’s determination to step again from his roles on the general public accounts and 1922 committees, he has additionally notified the chief whip that he’s voluntarily relinquishing the Conservative whip.”

Senior Tories initially stood by Wragg after the scandal broke, with chancellor Jeremy Hunt praising him for making a “brave and fulsome apology”.

However a number of Tory MPs have since damaged ranks to inform of their anger at Wragg’s behaviour.

Andrea Jenkyns branded Wragg an “fool” for “compromising safety”, whereas Conor Burns stated he was “reckless, egocentric and inconsiderate”.

Pat McFadden, Labour’s nationwide marketing campaign co-ordinator, stated: “The very fact it was left to William Wragg to resign is one other indictment of Rishi Sunak’s weak point.

“His MPs had been left but once more being despatched out to defend a place that has collapsed.

“Rishi Sunak places get together administration first each time – and he can’t even do this correctly. It’s no approach to run a rustic.

“Britain deserves so significantly better than this countless Tory chaos.”

Wragg, who’s standing down on the subsequent election, informed The Occasions final week: “I bought chatting to a man on an app and we exchanged photos. We had been meant to satisfy up for drinks, however then didn’t. Then he began asking for numbers of individuals. I used to be nervous as a result of he had stuff on me. He gave me a WhatsApp quantity, which doesn’t work now.

“I’ve harm individuals by being weak. I used to be scared. I’m mortified. I’m so sorry that my weak point has induced different individuals harm.”

These focused by the phishing assault had been despatched unsolicited messages on WhatsApp from senders figuring out themselves as “Charlie” or “Abi”.

Police and parliamentary authorities have additionally launched investigations into the scandal.