Labour MP “exposed” by newspaper
The private life of Chris Bryant was exposed by The Sun newspaper yesterday after the tabloid published explicit emails and photographs of the Labour MP for Rhondda “in his underpants.”
The openly gay Mr Bryant had emailed a photograph of himself to a man he met on a gay website.
An introductory email sent by Mr Bryant read: “Fit bloke here. Gym 3x a week – bright, solvent, single, very versatile – 32w 42c 5`11″ – 41yo – look younger (yeah, they all say that) – live maida vale w9 – u?”
The former Church of England clergyman said yesterday: “I’m sorry this has happened. I’ve always been open and honest about my private life but never sought to make an issue of it.
“I’m saddened that others have sought to do so. The important thing is the work that I do for my constituents as an MP.
“I will not myself be distracted from standing up for the people of the Rhondda.”
In support of Mr Bryant, First Minister for Wales Rhodri Morgan said he did not know “what all the fuss was about.”
Mr Bryant may be asked to explain his behaviour to his local constituency in South Wales.
