A Conservative MP has come out as transgender and has told of a rape and blackmail ordeal in an online statement.
Jamie Wallis, 37, who is a member of Parliament for Bridgend & Porthcawl, Wales, shared a statement on Twitter in the early hours of Wednesday morning stating that the politician has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
The statement, that was posted online with the message “It’s time” shortly before 3am, also revealed that Wallis had been raped and blackmailed by someone after meeting them online.
Boris Johnson shared his support for the MP, saying the announcement took an “immense amount of courage.”
In the statement, Wallis said: “I’m trans. Or to be more accurate, I want to be.
“I’ve been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and I’ve felt this way since I was a very young child.
“I had no intention of ever sharing this with you. I always imagined I would leave politics well before I ever said this out loud.”
The MP then went into details of the rape, which is said to have occurred in September after meeting a stranger online.
The statement continued: “I ‘hooked up’ with someone who I met online and when I chose to say ‘no’ on the basis that he wouldn’t wear a condom he chose to rape me.
“I have not been myself since this incident and I don’t think I will ever recover. It is not something you ever forget, and it is not something you ever move on from.
“Since then things have really taken a tumble. I am not ok.”
Going into details of the blackmail, Wallis revealed the offender wanted £50,000 in April 2020 to “keep quiet”, but was eventually sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.
“There was a close call in April 2020 when someone blackmailed me, outed me to my father and sent photographs to other family members,” Wallis wrote.
“He wanted £50,000 to keep quiet. The police were so supportive, so understanding and on this occasion the system worked.
“He pled guilty and was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.
“For a while it seemed as though I would be able to get on with things and move on.
“Being an MP and hiding something like this was always going to be tough, but I arrogantly assumed I was up for it.
“Well, I’m not.”
The Prime Minister posted a message after the announcement on Twitter, saying the Conservative Party will give Wallis “love and support”.
He said: “Sharing this very intimate story would have taken an immense amount of courage. Thank you @JamieWallisMP for your bravery, which will undoubtedly support others.
“The Conservative Party I lead will always give you, and everyone else, the love and support you need to be yourself.”
Fellow MP’s have also shown support for the statement, including Conservative party chairman Oliver Dowden, who revealed how “proud” he was of his colleague.
He said: “Proud of my colleague, Jamie Wallis.
“As a Conservative family we stand together, and we will support you.
“I hope that your brave statement will help others.”
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