Nigel Griffiths faces sleaze probe over office sex romp claims

Published on Tuesday 24 March 2009 08:37

CITY MP Nigel Griffiths is facing the prospect of a sleaze inquiry after official complaints were lodged about his alleged sex session with a mystery woman in his House of Commons study.

Parliamentary standards commissioner John Lyon confirmed he had received several formal complaints following claims that the Edinburgh South Labour MP had taken part in a "romp" with a young woman on Remembrance Day last year.

The paper published photographs showing the scantily clad woman in Mr Griffiths' oak-panelled office at Westminster.

Mr Griffiths, 53, who has been married to his wife Sally for 30 years, has said he is "deeply sorry" and "ashamed".

A spokeswoman for Mr Lyon said: "He has received complaints by e-mail, and we are looking at them."

He will now carry out a preliminary consideration of the complaints before deciding whether to launch a full inquiry.

Mr Griffiths had a majority of just 405 at the last general election and is facing a determined campaign by the Liberal Democrats, who have already captured the equivalent Holyrood seat.

He has already been reselected as candidate for the next election. Despite the allegations, insiders say there is little likelihood of him resigning or being deselected.

A Labour source said: "The party hierarchy is closing ranks and hoping this will go away."

The local party has no plans to call a special meeting to confront Mr Griffiths over the story and pictures.

But sources said many activists were annoyed that the MP's behaviour had made it more difficult for the party to hold a key marginal seat.

One local party insider said: "Nigel is well-respected as a hard-working MP and he's popular in the community. But the electorate will not be impressed with this kind of behaviour.

"The seat is on a knife edge and this is not going to bring out the votes."

Mr Griffiths is a close friend of Prime Minister Gordon Brown but Downing Street has refused to be drawn on Mr Griffiths' conduct.

A spokesman said: "Nigel Griffiths is not a member of the Government."

The MPs' code of conduct states: "Members shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner which will tend to maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence in the integrity of Parliament and never undertake any action which would bring the House of Commons, or its Members generally, into disrepute."