Jamie Wallis MP comes out as trans and speaks of rape ordeal

Politicians have praised a Welsh MP for his bravery after he tweeted he has gender dysphoria and has been a victim of rape and blackmail.

Jamie Wallis, who was elected in 2019, is the first MP to come out as trans.

The Conservative MP for Bridgend said a man sent pictures to his family and demanded £50,000 in 2020. He said he was raped in a separate incident.

Mr Wallis wrote that after he was raped "things have taken a tumble. I am not ok."

The MP confirmed that he fled the scene of a car crash two months after he was raped.

Both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the leader of the opposition Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged Mr Wallis' statement in the Commons.

With Mr Wallis looking on from the backbenches, Mr Johnson said: "the House stands with you and will give you the support you need to live freely as yourself".

Earlier, Tory MP Andrea Leadsom confirmed that Mr Johnson made a "light-hearted joke" on Tuesday night about Sir Keir Starmer's decision not to answer whether a woman can have a penis in a debate on trans rights.

It was reported that Mr Johnson began a dinner among Tory MPs by saying: "Good evening ladies and gentleman - or as Keir Starmer would put it, people who are assigned female or male at birth."

Jamie Wallis was at the dinner. SNP MP John Nicholson told BBC Politics Live the joke was "appallingly bad taste".

Mr Wallis was arrested last year on suspicion of driving while unfit, following an incident where a car hit a lamppost at Church Road in Llanblethian, Vale of Glamorgan.

"When I crashed my car on the 28th November I fled the scene. I did so because I was terrified," he wrote.

The MP said he suffered with post traumatic stress disorder (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," he said.

South Wales Police said the matter is still under investigation.

In the Twitter statement posted early Wednesday morning, Mr Wallis said: "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.

"There was a close call in April 2020 when someone blackmailed me, outed me to my father and sent photographs to other family members.

"He wanted £50,000 to keep quiet. The police were so supportive, so understanding and on this occasion the system worked."

The MP said the man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years and nine months 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."

He continued: "In September I 'hooked up' with someone who I met online.

"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."

The MP praised Tory party whips: "As far as I've seen they try their best to support and help MPs who are having a tough time.

"Well they've certainly earned their keep with me."

He said the dinner with Tory MPs on Tuesday evening reminded him "of the incredible support those you work with can provide".

"I was reminded how important it is to be yourself. I have never lived my truth and I'm not sure how. Perhaps it starts with telling everyone."

Later he said he was "overwhelmed by the kindness and support I have received".

"I am proud to be completely open and honest about the struggles I have had, and continue to have, with my identity. However, I remain the same person I was yesterday. For the time being, I will continue to present as I always have and will use he/him/his pronouns."

Tory party chairman Oliver Dowden 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."

Mike Freer, the Minister for Equalities, acknowledged the "enormously personal" statement in the Commons."I hope I speak for the whole house in sending our support, it is so important that people are free and safe to be themselves whoever they are and whoever they love", he said.

Labour MP Wes Streeting said: "Sending you love and solidarity from the other side of the Commons. This is hugely courageous of you to share."

Plaid Cymru Commons leader Liz Saville Roberts said: "This is an extraordinarily brave message to send out, Jamie. Whatever our politics, public life is unremitting and often merciless. Great respect for your personal courage."

Former MP and chancellor George Osborne said "we comment on the things that have got worse in politics, but many things have got better", tweeting that "if a Tory MP had said this when I was first elected 20 years ago they would have been hounded not applauded and supported".

The LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall said it was sending "solidarity" and "love" to Mr Wallis, calling his decision to come out "brave".

"It's clear [he] has been through very painful recent experiences, and coming out in the public eye will be liberating, but also profoundly stressful," said CEO Nancy Kelley.

"We've been heartened to see support from across the LGBTQ+ community and across the political spectrum."