New Labor MP Natalie Elphicke apologizes for comments about ex-husband's victims

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The MP whose shock defection to Labor sparked a fierce backlash against Keir Starmer has been forced to apologize for her comments about his ex's victims husband.

Charlie Elphicke was convicted of sexually assaulting two women and sentenced to two years in prison in 2020.

Natalie Elphicke supported his unsuccessful appeal, saying it was an “attractive” man who had been “an easy target for dirty politics and false allegations”.

As anger mounted over Labor's decision to admit him, a Labor MP said to The Independent that there was “collective rage” against Sir Keir over Ms Elphicke.

After his apology, a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) ruling Labor party called for her to be investigated and the whip suspended, just 24 hours after she joined the party.

In a statement, Ms Elphicke said she always knew her decision to switch parties "would shine a light on the prosecution of my ex-husband and I want to address some of the comments head on subject". .

She described the period between 2017 and 2020 as "an incredibly stressful and difficult time for me, as I learned more about the person I thought I knew."

She added: "I know it was much harder for the women who had to relive their experiences and testify against him.

"I have previously condemned his behavior and I still condemn it. towards other women and towards me. It was right that he be prosecuted and I am sorry for the comments I made about his victims. »

Natalie Elphicke defected from the Conservatives to the Labor Party (David Woolfall/UK Parliament) (PA Media)

Her apology came after Labor Party president Anneliese Dodds said Ms Elphicke had already been held accountable for her past comments

She appeared to be referring to the fact that the Dover MP had been suspended from Parliament in 2021.

However, this was after Ms Elphicke attempted to influence a judge presiding over her husband's trial, rather than for her remarks.

Ms Dodds was also approached about the case of Diane Abbott, who was suspended from the Labor Party and currently sits as an independent.

Ms Dodds said she had “huge respect” for Ms Abbott as a pioneer, but could...