- becky morton
- BBC political reporter
image source, Getty Images
Natalie Elphike, a Conservative MP who defected to the Labor Party, has apologized for comments she made in support of her ex-husband, who was convicted of sexual assault.
Charlie Elphick was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women in 2020.
Some Labor MPs had raised concerns after she said he was an “easy target” for false allegations because he was “charming”.
MP Dover joined the Labor Party on Wednesday.
In a statement Thursday, she said she knew her defection would “put a spotlight on the prosecution of her ex-husband.”
“The period from 2017 to 2020 was an incredibly stressful and difficult time for me. I found out more about people I thought I knew. I had to relive my experiences. , I know it was much more difficult for the women who had to give evidence against him,” she said.
“I have and continue to condemn his actions towards other women and me. He was right to be prosecuted and I am sorry for what I said about his victims. I don’t think so.”
Her predecessor, Dover MP Mr Elphike, was sentenced to two years in prison for sexual assault in 2020.
Mrs Elphicke ended their marriage after his conviction but supported his unsuccessful appeal.
In September 2020, she told The Sun that he was “attractive and attracted to women” and was therefore “an easy target for dirty politics and false allegations”.
Her previous comments had sparked criticism from some Labor MPs.
Jess Phillips, former shadow minister for domestic violence and protection, said Mrs Elphike should “take responsibility for her actions”.
She told ITV’s Peston: “I’m all for forgiveness, but I think it needs an explanation.”
Mr Elphike will stand down as an MP at the next election and Labor has said it will retain its current candidates for the Dover and Deal constituencies.
Announcing her shock departure from the party on Wednesday, she criticized the Conservative Party under the leadership of Chancellor Rishi Sunak, saying it had become “synonymous with incompetence and division”.
He said the government’s record on housing and border security was a key factor in his decision, and accused Mr Sunak of breaking promises and abandoning important commitments.
Some Labor MPs also expressed concern that Mr Elphike’s political views were not in line with their party.
The MP is considered to be on the right of the Conservative Party and has previously criticized Labour’s stance on immigration.
Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield said her colleagues were “baffled” by Mrs Elphike’s departure and she “never believed it for a second”. [Mrs Elphicke] He suddenly became a Labor Party MP. ”
John McDonnell, shadow chancellor under former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn, told LBC he was “surprised and shocked”, adding: “I believe strongly in the power of conversion, but even this… I think generosity will come at a cost,” he added. Honestly, I’m talking about the spirit of John the Baptist. ”
Kevin Mills, Labor leader on Dover District Council, said the one thing he and Mrs Elphike had in common was that she had “limbs on every corner of her body”.
He told BBC Radio Kent that he was glad she had realized that “Labour is the only party that can improve this country” but said he had “some real concerns” about her defection. He said he was holding her.
Mr Mills added that he would work with her despite disagreements on issues such as the P&O Ferries layoffs and the dispute over cuts to border crossings.
But Labor Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds said Mr Elphike was a “natural fit” for the party, adding: “People can change their minds.”
Labor said he could take on an unpaid role advising the party on housing policy.
She has campaigned against rent freezes and homelessness, an area in which she has common ground with Labor.
