Tory MP Mark Menzies Quits Over Sex And Drugs Claims Made By Brazilian Male Escort

Tory MP Mark Menzies Quits Over Sex And Drugs Claims Made By Brazilian Male Escort
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Mark Menzies in campaign shot
www.markmenzies.org.uk

A Tory MP has resigned as a ministerial aide following allegations reportedly made by a Brazilian male escort.

Mark Menzies quit as a parliamentary private secretary to International Development Minister Alan Duncan following a Sunday Mirror investigation into his personal life.

In a statement the Fylde MP said: "I have decided to resign as a PPS after a series of allegations were made against me in a Sunday newspaper.

"A number of these allegations are not true and I look forward to setting the record straight in due course."

Male escort Rogerio Santos claimed Mr Menzies, 42, paid for his services 18 months ago, before showing him around Parliament, reports The Mirror.

The 19-year-old also claims the MP asked him to supply him with illegal methedrone.

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Sunday Mirror investigates allegations made by Brazilian male escort

Fylde Conservative Association chairman Councillor Brenda Ackers said: "Mark has the full support of his constituency party."

Mr Menzies was elected in 2010 and was swiftly promoted to be a ministerial aide, serving former energy minister Charles Hendry and former housing minister Mark Prisk before his role with Mr Duncan.

He grew up in Ardrossan, Ayrshire, and was raised by his mother after his father died a month before he was born.

Mr Menzies, 42, studied economics and social history at Glasgow University before embarking on a career in retail, starting out at Marks & Spencer as a graduate trainee.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said it was "very sad" when people's personal lives impacted on their careers.

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "This is a personal matter for the individual concerned. I have not read the front page of the (Sunday) Mirror this morning.

"It's always very sad when people are involved in personal issues that impact on their careers but that's a matter for the person concerned."

Tory MP David Ruffley told Sky News's Murnaghan programme: "I think that 30 years ago it would be automatic resignation if an MP was in a difficulty like this."

He added: "It's always sad when a career like this gets on to the front page of a tabloid. But Government rocked? I don't think so."