Transgender Tory MP Jamie Wallis is CHARGED with driving offences after failing to stop after crash
Transgender Tory MP Jamie Wallis is CHARGED with driving offences after failing to stop after a crash which cut off a village’s Wi-Fi
Jamie Wallis became first Transgender MP following announcement last monthHe has been charged over alleged offences related to crash on November 28 Incident took place in Llanblethian, Wales, less than two miles from his home
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Transgender Tory MP Jamie Wallis has been charged with driving offences for allegedly failing to stop after a crash which cut off a village’s Wi-Fi.
The Bridgend MP, who became the first openly transgender MP last month, has been charged with failing to stop after crashing his Mercedes at around 1.10am on November 28 last year.
South Wales Police said Mr Wallis, 37, has also been charged with failing to report the crash, driving without due care and attention and leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position.
The incident took place in Llanblethian, near Cowbridge, less than two miles from his home.
A wooden post was broken in the collision, causing the internet to be down in the village for several days. No other vehicles were involved and no-one was injured in the collision.
Mr Wallis was initially arrested on suspicion of ‘driving whilst unfit’ following the late-night collision and, at the time, said he was ‘assisting police with their inquiries’.
South Wales Police have said Mr Wallis will appear before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on May 10.
It comes after a statement released last month in which Wallis revealed he had been raped and blackmailed, and was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Tory MP Jamie Wallis pictured arriving at the House of Commons last month after making the announcement on Twitter
Mr Wallis and Prime Minister Boris Johnson pictured shaking hands. Mr Johnson praised his fellow Tory MP during PMQs following the announcement last month
In a statement tweeted at 3am on March 30, Mr Wallis revealed he ‘wants to be’ transgender and is ‘not ok’ after someone tried to blackmail him for £50,000
In the statement, posted on Twitter at 3am on March 30, he explained the conviction for crashing his Mercedes and fleeing the scene was as a result of suffering an incident weeks earlier following a date with a man he met online.
He said he ‘wants to be’ trans and is ‘not ok’ after someone tried to extort cash from him in return for silence about his secret.
His blackmailer was jailed for two years and nine months in 2021, he added.
In the statement, Mr 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.
‘I was reminded of the incredible support those you work with can provide. Also, 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.”
‘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 it quiet.’
And in response to which pronouns he will use going forward he said today : ‘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’.
‘I am overwhelmed by the kindness and support I have received in the last few hours. I am proud to be completely open and honest about the struggles I have had, and continue to have, with my identity’, he added.
He made the statement following a gathering for Tory MPs at which Boris Johnson reportedly made a joke about trans issues.
At PMQs following the announcement, Mr Johnson praised the bravery of a South Wales Tory
Politicians from all sides of the political spectrum also rallied around to support Wallis.
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.’
Fellow Tory MPs showed their support for Mr Wallis, with former whip Mike Fabricant saying it was ‘a very brave statement’.
Alicia Kearns said: ‘You have changed this country today Your bravery will give hope and courage to people across our country.
‘From the trans community, to survivors we all here for you, as you live your life as your true self, but ever as our friend.’
Equalities minister Mike Freer started business in the House of Commons by acknowledging the ‘enormously personal’ statement by his Conservative colleague Jamie Wallis, telling MPs: ‘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.’
Other MPs echoed their support for Mr Wallis during women and equalities questions.
Wallis became the first Conservative to win the Bridgend seat of Bridgend since the 1980s when elected in 2019.
