The MP who defected from the Conservatives to Labor yesterday has apologized for comments she made in support of her ex-husband after he was convicted of sexual assault.
After former Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke was jailed for two years in 2020 for assaulting two women, Natalie Elphicke told the Sun that the fact he was “attractive” and “attracted to women” made him an “easy target for dirty politics and false allegations”.
She called the trial unfair and said the accusations were “utterly absurd” and called her ex-husband “charming, rich, charismatic and successful.”
Several Labor MPs said they did not feel comfortable having a deputy in your party who defended a sex offender.
Jess Phillips, a former shadow minister for domestic violence, said Ms Elphicke should “take responsibility for her actions”.
Just over 24 hours after defecting, Ms Elphicke released a statement apologizing for her comments.
She said: “My decision to join the Labor Party was not a decision I took lightly, but one I took because I am convinced that this country needs a new government led by Keir Starmer to solve the problems we see, from housing to small boats.
“I always knew that this decision would highlight the case against my ex-husband and I want to address some of the comments surrounding this issue.
“2017-2020 was incredibly stressful and difficult for me as I learned more about the person I thought I knew. I know it was much harder for the women who had to relive their experiences and give evidence against him.
Read more: Natalie Elphicke defends her parliamentary husband after conviction
“I have already condemned, and still condemn, your behavior towards other women and towards me. It was right that he was prosecuted and I am sorry for the comments I made about his victims.
“It is vital that women can have confidence in the criminal justice system and our prosecution and conviction rates are too low as a country.
“Keir Starmer’s mission to halve male violence against women and girls is critical and I would like to take the opportunity to express my explicit support for Labor colleagues working to deliver this.”
Ms Elphicke ended her marriage to Mr Elphicke moments after he was convicted, but supported his unsuccessful appeal, which is when she made the “attractive” comments.
She supported him until he was convicted and was seen entering the courtroom with him most days of his trial.
After he stepped down as an MP, she took his seat in Dover and won by a large majority.
She will not run again in the next elections.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
