‘Sex text’ MP lacks credibility to represent Burton voters, says union

Union Unite has thrown its weight behind growing calls for Andrew Griffiths, Tory MP for Burton, to stand down after he became embroiled in a sex text scandal.

Griffiths has already resigned as minister for small business after it emerged that sent more than 2,000 explicit text messages to two women in his constituency, but the union said he should also stand down as an MP.

Unite will be taking part in a rally outside Burton town hall at noon on Saturday calling for the MP, a former banker, to quit the seat that he has held since 2010.

The union argues that the constituency needs to have a MP with the credibility and respect to fight on the wider issues affecting the 75,000-strong electorate – and not one ”irredeemably tainted by a torrent of sleaze”.

Unite regional officer Rick Coyle, who will be speaking at Saturday’s rally, said: “We are calling for Andrew Griffiths to stand down because of his disgraceful behaviour in the sex text scandal.

“But there is a wider issue at play here and that is the people of Burton deserve a MP with the credibility and respect amongst his peers to fight on behalf of his constituents on topics such as the cash-strapped NHS, the economy and the large pockets of social deprivation afflicting Burton.

“We don’t believe that Andrew Griffiths, a politician irredeemably tainted by a torrent of sleaze, has the necessary stature to fight Burton’s corner locally, regionally and nationally.

“He has become a figure of derision and scorn – and he can no longer effectively represent the constituency he was elected to serve. As a matter of honour, he should resign immediately as an MP.”