‘Gay affair’ Tory MP defies calls to resign

11:13pm Friday 24th November 2006

A Tory MP at the centre of claims that he left his wife for a man refused to resign last night, despite calls from local party members to stand down.

Greg Barker received the full backing of the Conservative Association in his Bexhill and Battle constituency last month but several members have now called for him to give up his post, according to BBC South East Today.

The shadow environment minister told the programme: "I'm very sorry that certain individuals feel like that, very sorry indeed.

"By and large people in the constituency have been extremely kind and understanding."

However, he said he had some sympathy with them: "Because, quite frankly, if I believed everything that has been written about me in the papers, I might think the same thing."

Mr Barker appealed last month for his privacy to be respected following reports that July's split from wife Celeste was caused by a long-running homosexual relationship.

He told yesterday's broadcast of BBC South East Today: "The notion that I walked out and dumped her is completely wrong. We are doing our best to keep our private life private."

A close ally of David Cameron, Mr Barker quit the Tory whips' office to join his successful leadership campaign last year. He was rewarded with the environment post.

Mr Barker added that he had been "very touched" by the amount of support he had received at Westminster.

Mr and Mrs Barker had been married for 14 years and have two sons and one daughter, aged 11, seven and six.