LOVE cheat DUP MP David Simpson sent 11,000 text messages to his mistress Louise Templeton during their affair, Sunday Life can reveal.

Some of those texts are now at the centre of an employment dispute involving Louise's husband Andrew Wilson who has been sacked by the Simpsons' family meat firm where he worked as a sales executive.

A close family friend of Louise and Andrew has told how the family's income has slumped from £100,000-a-year, with Louise now working part-time in a post office.

Andrew Wilson was dismissed from the Universal Meat Company several days ago and is understood to be appealing the decision with the firm.

Expand Close DUP's David Simpson MP with his family, wife Elaine with their children, Leagh, Kristy (2nd from right), and Steven. / Facebook

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Whatsapp DUP's David Simpson MP with his family, wife Elaine with their children, Leagh, Kristy (2nd from right), and Steven.

The family friend said Andrew was given the chop for sending some of the 11,000 texts the MP had sent to Louise to Simpson's wife Elaine.

Elaine Simpson is one of the managing directors of the Universal Meat Company, which she and Simpson founded over 40 years ago.

The friend said: "There were 11,000 text messages to Louise over the period leading up to the affair and obviously during the affair.

"Andrew shared some of those with Elaine in April and it was following that they dismissed him on the basis of gross misconduct."

It is understood he was dismissed for alleged gross misconduct and there is no suggestion the firm did not adhere to proper employment law guidelines in relation to Andrew Wilson's alleged conduct.

Osmond Gurgan, one of the managing directors of the firm alongside Elaine Simpson, confirmed Mr Wilson had been sacked but declined to comment on the matter. He said it was an internal matter.

Expand Close Former DUP councillor Louise Templeton pictured with her husband Andrew Wilson. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Former DUP councillor Louise Templeton pictured with her husband Andrew Wilson.

Louise Templeton previously worked for Mr Simpson in his constituency office. But the friend said the MP told her it was not possible for them to work together after the affair was revealed.

She was also a DUP councillor on Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council but the friend claims she was not told of a reselection meeting before last month's council elections.

The family friend said:"There was personal hurt to the Simpson family but Louise's family also suffered that personal hurt.

"The party didn't even write to tell her about the selection, they didn't even notify her that selection was happening.

"They didn't even invite Louise to put her name forward.

"She wouldn't have put her name in anyhow, not for fear of not being selected, she didn't believe the party would have selected her.

Expand Close Universal Meat Company and family home of DUP David Simpson. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Universal Meat Company and family home of DUP David Simpson.

"Louise has moved on with her life, but they had over £100,000 income into their home and now she's working part time in a post office for the minimum wage."

The family's financial pressures are in part due to the alleged actions of Andrew Wilson.

Sunday Life approached Mr Wilson about the matter but he said: "No comment."

Sunday Life exposed Simpson and Templeton's love tryst in March last year but both have since reconciled with their respective spouses.

Templeton later publicly apologised for cheating on her husband with Simpson, a devout Free Presbyterian and Orangeman who famously spoke out against a same-sex marriage bill in the House of Commons. "In the garden of Eden it was Adam and Eve, it wasn't Adam and Steve," he said. Simpson (60) has never said anything publicly about his affair with party colleague Louise but he did resign from the Orange Order and Royal Black Institution.

He also signed over most of his shares in the meat wholesale company he founded with his wife in 1983 to her and their children.

Expand Close Elaine and David Simpson / Facebook

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Whatsapp Elaine and David Simpson

Simpson's son-in-law Aaron Gray previously told this newspaper his cheating had "devastated" the family as Templeton was considered a close friend of the family.

"Louise made her public apology and she did so because she felt that it was right for her to do that," said the friend.

"Those people had been her friends, Louise had let them down and she believed it was the right thing for her to do at that time but she came under so much criticism for that.

"Louise did receive quite a number of texts from people saying it was very brave and appreciating what she had done given the fact that David (Simpson) has never apologised.

"She took responsibility for her actions... as somebody said to her, he is a member of Her Majesty's Government and it's not appropriate."

The friend added: "Louise went to work for David and Elaine Simpson when she was 18 years of age, all of her working life."

In a letter to members of her constituency association, Templeton said last year: "For my part I accept responsibility for the pain and embarrassment that I have caused to families, elected colleagues and party friends and for this I offer my personal and most humble apology.

"I will not attempt to try to excuse my behaviour but I believe I owe you this apology and an assurance that it will not happen again.

"I know that you will share my hope, that healing and reconciliation will be possible for all those affected by this negative experience."

Belfast Telegraph