The Conservative MP for Bridgend, Jamie Wallis, has this morning issued a statement in which he talks about his diagnosis with gender dysphoria.
In the statement published on his website, Mr Wallis states, “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”.
In the statement, Mr Wallis detailed how someone in April 2020 had blackmailed him over the issue, outed him to his father and sent pictures to his family. The man, who asked for £50,000 to keep quiet, was subsequently sentenced to 2yrs and 9mnths in prison.
Continuing he said, “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”.
Then writing about an incident in which he claims to have recently been raped, the Bridgend MP, who was first elected to the Commons in 2019 said, “A few months back, in September, 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”.
Mr Wallis was involved in a car crash in November 2021 in which he fled the scene. Referring to the incident, Mr Wallis said in his statement, “When I crashed my car on the 28th November I fled the scene. I did so because I was terrified. I have PTSD and I honestly have no idea what I was doing except I was overcome by an overwhelming sense of fear. I am sorry that it appears I “ran away” but this isn’t how it happened in the moment.
Following this morning’s statement, Mr Wallis has received support from across the political spectrum. Chris Bryant, the Labour MP for Rhondda in South Wales said, “Dear Jamie, I wish you all the very best. Colleagues across the House will respect your openesss, honesty and the journey you are on”
Plaid Cymru MP, Liz Saville Roberts wrote, “This is an extraordinary brave message to send out Jamie. Whatever our politics, public life is unremitting and often mercileess. Great respect for your personal courage”.
Responding to Mr Wallis’ statement, prime minister Boris Johnson wrote this morning on Twitter, “Sharing this very intimate story would have taken an immense amount of courage”, adding, “The Conservative Party I lead will always give you, and everyone else, the love and support you need to be yourself”.
