Tory MP Rob Roberts accused of inviting intern, 21, to 'fool around' with him

  • london
  • July 21, 2020
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A Conservative MP has been accused of inappropriate behaviour towards two junior parliamentary staff, including inviting a 21-year-old intern to “fool around” with him.

Rob Roberts, who represents Delyn in north Wales, propositioned the young woman in a series of messages earlier this year, seen by BBC Wales.

Mr Roberts has also admitted asking out another House of Commons employee, which led them to move post, according to the news site.

He said he recognised the date request “was inappropriate” but declined to comment on the messages sent to the female intern when approached for a response.

In the messages, sent in April, Mr Roberts allegedly referred to a picture posted by the 21-year-old on Twitter, commenting: “Lovely legs”.

“Don’t ignore me when I’m making you feel better,” he then told her, the BBC reported.

Mr Roberts, who was elected as an MP in the December general election, went on to suggest that in future she might want to “fool around with no strings, you might come and visit me in London”.

Later in the exchange the Tory minister, who has recently split from his wife and come out as gay, reportedly told the intern he “might be gay but I enjoy… fun times”.

Ignoring the request, she explained to Mr Roberts that she was struggling with her mental health, to which he allegedly responded: “I was just thinking about fun times… Maybe if you thought of them too it might help you.”

Speaking to BBC Wales, the now former intern said his messages made her feel “incredibly sick”.

A Conservative Party spokesperson told the site: “Our party takes all allegations extremely seriously and has safeguarding and complaints processes in place to investigate complaints made to it under the party’s code of conduct.”

The Standard has contacted Mr Roberts’ office for comment.