UK minister, a top supporter of Pakistan, resigns over sexual harassment

Andrew Griffiths, the minister for small business in the United Kingdom, also a prominent supporter of Pakistan, resigned from the government after he was found to have sent more than 2,000 explicit messages to two women in his constituency, The Guardian reported.

The 47-year-old minister, after resigning, released a statement apologising for his inappropriate behavior.

The Guardian quoted the minister's statement as saying, "I am deeply ashamed at my behaviour which has caused untold distress to my wife and family, to whom I owe everything, and deep embarrassment to the prime minister and the government I am so proud to serve."

He added, "I tendered my resignation as parliamentary under secretary of state for small business on Friday night."

He is a former chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, a UK-based forum, which he used to push Pakistan's position on Kashmir.

The minister, a former chief of staff to Prime Minister Theresa May, said that he would be seeking professional help to address the issue of sending sexually explicit texts to the women of his constituency.

He said, "I do not seek to excuse my behaviour and will be seeking professional help to ensure it never happens again. In time I hope to earn the forgiveness of all those who put their trust in me and that I have let down so terribly. The prime minister and the government she leads will continue to have my full support."

The Guardian, quoted the Sunday Mirror as terming the content of Griffiths' messages as 'depraved'.

The Sunday Mirror said, "In a string of texts Griffiths called himself "Daddy", promised money if he received racy images and described perverted and rough sex he claimed to have had with other women."

He is a former Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, a forum he used to push Pakistan's position in Kashmir in the United Kingdom.

(ANI)