Conservative minister resigns over sex

scandal
Brooks Newmark, the Conservative minister for civil society,
resigns after being caught sending explicit photographs of
himself to women over the internet

David Cameron was plunged into a double crisis on Saturday after one
of his ministers resigned over a sex scandal and another MP defected to
Ukip.
On the eve of the Conservative Partys final conference before next
years election, Brooks Newmark quit as Minister for Civil Society after
he was caught sending an explicit photograph of himself over the
internet.
Sources told The Telegraph that Mr Newmark had sent the pictures to
someone he believed was a woman using a social networking website,
as part of a tabloid newspaper sting operation.
In a statement, Mr Newmark said: "I have decided to resign as Minister
for Civil Society having been notified of a story to be published in a
Sunday newspaper.
I would like to appeal for the privacy of my family to be respected at this
time. I remain a loyal supporter of this Government as its long term
economic plan continues to deliver for the British people."

The married father of five, added that he was "so sorry, after the scandal
came to light.
Mr Newmark initiated a private message conversation on a social
networking website and sent a graphic picture exposing himself while
wearing a pair of paisley pyjamas, according the Mirror newspaper.
He sent a text message to an undercover reporter on Saturday, asking if
she would like to meet him at the Conservative conference this week.
Afternoons fairly full with speaking engagements but around late
evenings. Promise well meet up though. X," the MP wrote.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has accepted
Brooks Newmark's resignation from his role as Minister for Civil Society.
Mr Newmark will be replaced by Rob Wilson, a former aide to the
Chancellor George Osborne.
The ministers resignation comes just hours after Mark Reckless, the MP
for Rochester and Strood, announced on live television that he was
defecting to the UK Independence Party.
He became the second Tory MP to defect to Ukip since the 2010
election, after Douglas Carswell announced last month that he was
standing down from the Conservatives.
Mr Reckless told delegates gathered at the Ukip conference in
Doncaster that he had not taken the decision lightly but claimed the
Conservative leadership was "part of the problem that is holding our
country back".
Appearing on stage to a rapturous reception at the Ukip's conference, he
said voters felt "ripped off and lied to".
At the Newmarks' six storey townhouse, worth several million pounds, in
Belgravia in central London, dogs could be heard barking from inside but
nobody answered the door on Saturday night.