William Wragg escapes Tory punishment for leaking phone numbers as Met Police launch investigation

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A senior Tory MP who admitted his role in a honey sexting scandal will escape immediate punishment as his senior colleague Jeremy Hunt decided to support him publicly.

William Wragg He is unlikely to lose his seat or be forced to sit as an independent MP, sources say, at least while the party investigates his role. The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Friday evening that they had launched an investigation into a "number" of unsolicited messages sent to MPs. Hazel Grove MP admitted leaking the personal phone numbers of his colleagues to an individual he met on Grindr, after sending them intimate photos of himself and becoming concerned about the power the recipient had over him as a result. He told The Times: "They had compromising things on me."

Mr. Hunt, the chancellor, has now backed Mr Wragg, praising him for his “courageous and thorough” apology. after the MP also told The Times that he was sorry for the “hurt” he had caused. The Treasury Minister said Mr Wragg had “rightly apologised” and would retain the post of party whip.

William Wragg apologized for 'weakness' after admitting leaking his colleagues' phone numbers (PA)

MPs told The Independentthe party was keen to not maneuver against Mr Wragg, who is the vice-chairman of the 1922 Committee, in In this case, this triggers an investigation which leads to another by-election.

A Tory MP said the decision to allow Mr Wragg to remain as whip was a “practical thing”, adding: “The last thing you want is a by-election when there will be a general election in six months anyway and he has already said he is standing down... I think if he didn't stand in the general election the problem might be different. »

Neither Labor nor the Liberal Democrats called. for the party to suspend Mr Wragg. But even if Sadiq Khan said he was sympathetic...