Sign up to get the latest Burton news in a daily email bulletin Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Shamed Andrew Griffiths "needs to consider whether he is fit to be Burton's MP" the town's Labour Party has said following the revelation that the married father-of-one sent vile text messages to a barmaid.

It comes as the chairman of Burton's Labour Party said it is one of the biggest political scandals the town has ever seen.

The MP has resigned as minister for small business just six months after taking up the prime role after it was revealed yesterday that he sent 2,000 disgusting messages to Winshill barmaid Imogen Treharne and another woman, it was revealed in the Sunday Mirror today, July 15.

Mr Griffiths became a first-time father to baby Alice, with his wife Kate, just three months ago. He became MP for Burton in 2010, and retained seat again in last year's General Election with a healthy 10,000-plus majority.

He bombarded the girls with scores of messages virtually every day for three weeks after striking up a friendship on social media, the Sunday Mirror has said.

In a string of texts Mr Griffiths called himself “Daddy”, promised money if he received racy images and described perverted and rough sex he claimed to have had with other women, the Sunday Mirror reports.

Following the revelations, Paul Walker chairman of Burton Constituency Labour Party said: "Our thoughts are with the MP’s wife and his young daughter at this very difficult time for them.

"We find it so disgusting that anyone can treat women in such an abhorrent way and I am sure the people of Burton and Uttoxeter will form their own judgment on his actions."

Mr Walker claimed: "The MP has continuously let Burton and Uttoxeter down over the past eight years."

(Image: Mirror)

The party claimed that under the MP's watch the town had already lost the mental health centre Margaret Stanhope, Burton Magistrates' Court and it was concerned about Burton's Queen's Hospital following its merger with Royal Derby Hospital.

Mr Walker added: "He has transformed our constituency into an area of low wages and zero hours contracts with homelessness rocketing and food bank use on the increase. All of which lie with him and his austerity government.

"With this latest revelation, he has disgraced himself, embarrassed his family and his constituents. He should now be taking a long look at himself and considering whether or not he is morally capable of continuing as the member of Parliament for Burton and Uttoxeter."

The Mirror says the shamed Tory wrote:

“I’m going to need something filthy to put a smile on my face. I want to see you both naked.”

“Take off the bra and panties… you’ve got Daddy in such a frenzy.”

“I’m going to bring you to London and do whatever I want to you.”

(Image: The Mirror)

“I’m thinking maybe we need a flat for Daddy’s girls. I’m taken by you both. You girls are spectacular.”

Many more messages go into shocking detail about his liking for certain sexual acts and are too disgusting to print in full, the Mirror has said.

And he gleefully boasted to the girls: “Daddy’s busy running the country.”

Calls to Mr Griffiths and the East Staffordshire Conservatives have gone unanswered and have not been returned.

However, he released a statement to the Sunday Mirror.

It reads: "I am deeply ashamed at my behaviour which has caused untold distress to my wife and family, to whom I owe everything, and deep embarrassment to the Prime Minister and the Government I am so proud to serve.

'I tendered my resignation as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Small Business on Friday night.

"Following discussions today with the Chief Whip I have referred myself to the Conservative Party’s Code of Conduct procedures.

"I entirely accept that pending this investigation it is right the Whip is withdrawn.

(Image: Roland Leon)

"I wish to apologise to my constituency association and to the people of Burton I am honoured to represent.

"I do not seek to excuse my behaviour and will be seeking professional help to ensure it never happens again.

"In time I hope to earn the forgiveness of all those who put their trust in me and that I have let down so terribly.

"The Prime Minister and the Government she leads will continue to have my full support."

The Burton Mail has contacted Mr Griffiths for comment but he has not yet returned our calls.