A former minister who sent sexually explicit text messages to two constituents should resign as an MP for his “absolutely deplorable” actions, the chair of the local Conservative women’s branch has said.

Andrew Griffiths, the Conservative MP for Burton, whose wife gave birth to their first child 12 weeks ago, resigned as the minister for small business when his “depraved” text messages were printed in the Sunday Mirror at the weekend.

Griffiths, 47, is accused of sending 2,000 messages including lewd comments in which he referred to himself as “Daddy” during exchanges with a 28-year-old barmaid. He has apologised and said he is “deeply ashamed” of his actions.

He has so far refused to resign as an MP but on Monday several members of his local party, the East Staffordshire Conservatives, refused to give him their backing. Cathy Warren, chair of the local party’s women’s branch, said: “I can only speak personally but yes I want him to resign, most definitely.

“He’s shamed us all, he’s shamed his wife and his actions are absolutely deplorable. His attitude towards women is absolutely disgusting.”

Beryl Toon, the Conservative borough councillor for Rolleston, in Griffiths’ constituency, said she had “strong feelings” on the matter but could not air them publicly. She did say, however, that there had been calls locally for Griffiths to resign. “People have actually said it to me,” she said. “Neighbours and Conservative members.”



Heather Wheeler, the Conservative MP in neighbouring South Derbyshire, said it was “the right decision” for Griffiths to resign as a minister but he was an “excellent local MP and I know he will continue to be”.

Conor Wileman, the chair of East Staffordshire Conservatives, announced Griffiths’ resignation “with great disappointment” in a message to members on Saturday night.

Sharing Griffith’s own statement with party members, Wileman added: “I wanted to let our members read this statement before they saw it in the Sunday papers. I will be arranging a full members’ meeting in due course.

“In the meantime we are working with CCHQ and supporting Andrew while he addresses his personal issues.”

Wileman added: “Naturally, all our sympathies are with Kate and Alice [his wife and 12-week-old baby] and we are asking that their privacy is respected.”

Patricia Ackroyd, a member of Griffith’s local Conservative party and a councillor on East Staffordshire borough council, said she did not want to comment on whether he should resign as MP but added: “The only thing I would say is I feel very sorry for Andrew and his family in these very difficult circumstances.”

Other local party members said they supported Griffiths. Lynne Shelton, a Conservative councillor for Heath ward, said: “Private lives are exactly that. Andrew has always been very helpful to me as a councillor. When I’ve needed help he’s always given it to me. He was a big support when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He’s always been respectful. I can’t comment on his private life because I don’t know anything about it.”

Shelton said she could see how some people could view his texts as boasting about violence against women: “I understand how [it could be seen as ] violence against women. But it was a different context, I think,” she said, adding: “He is not a violent man.”

Andrew Bridgen, the Conservative MP for neighbouring North West Leicestershire, said: “Andrew Griffiths’s position is a matter between him and his electorate in Burton upon Trent. But the voices on the left calling for him to resign as an MP would have more resonance if they weren’t the party supporting the continued membership in the Houses of Parliament of Keith Vaz. That’s the hypocrisy of the left, isn’t it?”

Two years ago Vaz, the Labour MP for Leicester East, was caught by the Sunday Mirror using escorts while chairing an inquiry into vice laws. He was also accused of damaging parliament’s reputation after appearing to offer to pay for cocaine if it was brought to a future meeting. An investigation into Vaz’s behaviour by the parliamentary standards commissioner, triggered by Bridgen, is ongoing.