5/9/24, 9:59 AM Natalie Elphicke apologises for comments about ex-husband's victims

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Natalie Elphicke apologises for

comments about ex-husband's victims
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By Becky Morton, BBC political reporter

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MP Natalie Elphicke - who defected from the Tories to Labour - has apologised for
comments she made supporting her ex-husband after he was convicted of sexual
assault.
Charlie Elphicke was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women in 2020.
Some Labour MPs had raised concerns about her saying he was "an easy target" for
false allegations because he was "attractive".
The Dover MP joined the Labour Party on Wednesday.
In a statement on Thursday she said she knew her defection would "put a spotlight on
the prosecution of my ex-husband".

"The period of 2017 - 2020 was an incredibly stressful and difficult one for me as I
learned more about the person I thought I knew. I know it was far harder for the
women who had to relive their experiences and give evidence against him," she said.
"I have previously, and do, condemn his behaviour towards other women and towards
me. It was right that he was prosecuted and I'm sorry for the comments that I made
about his victims."
The inside story of Tory MP's defection to Labour

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5/9/24, 9:59 AM Natalie Elphicke apologises for comments about ex-husband's victims

Natalie Elphicke: Who is the new Labour MP?

Mr Elphicke, who was her predecessor as MP for Dover, was jailed for two years in
2020 for sexual assault.
Mrs Elphicke ended their marriage after his conviction but supported his unsuccessful
appeal.

In September 2020, she told the Sun newspaper he was "an easy target for dirty
politics and false allegations" because he was "attractive, and attracted to, women".
Her previous comments had prompted criticism from some Labour MPs.
Jess Phillips, the former shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, said
Mrs Elphicke should "account for her actions".
She told ITV's Peston: "I'm all for forgiveness but I do think that that needs some
explaining."
Mrs Elphicke has said she will stand down as an MP at the next election, with Labour
keeping their current candidate for the Dover and Deal constituency.

Announcing her shock defection on Wednesday, she hit out at Prime Minister Rishi
Sunak saying under his leadership the Conservatives "have become a byword for
incompetence and division".
She said the government's record on housing and border security were the key factors
behind her decision, accusing Mr Sunak of broken promises and abandoning key
pledges.

0:14

Watch: Natalie Elphicke takes seat on Labour benches

Some Labour MPs also expressed concern that Mrs Elphicke's political views did not
align with the party.
The MP, who had been seen as on the right of the Tory Party, had previously been
critical of Labour's stance on immigration.

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield said her colleagues were "baffled" by Mrs Elphicke's
defection and she did not "believe for a second that [Mrs Elphicke] has suddenly
transformed into a Labour MP".

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5/9/24, 9:59 AM Natalie Elphicke apologises for comments about ex-husband's victims

John McDonnell, who was shadow chancellor under former Labour leader Jeremy
Corbyn, told LBC he was "surprised and shocked", adding: "I'm a great believer in the
powers of conversion, but I think even this one would have strained the generosity of
spirit of John the Baptist, quite honestly."
The Labour Leader of Dover District Council, Kevin Mills, said what he has in common
with Mrs Elphicke is "a limb on each corner of my body".
He told BBC Radio Kent he was pleased she had realised "the only party that can
improve this country is the Labour Party" but had "some real concerns" about her
defection.
Mr Mills added that he would work with her, even though they had disagreed on
issues including the dispute over P&O Ferries sackings and cuts at border controls.

However, Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds said Mrs Elphicke was a "good,
natural fit" for her party, adding: "People can change their minds."
Labour has said she could have an unpaid role advising the party on housing policy.
She has campaigned for rent freezes and against homelessness - areas where she has
common ground with Labour.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said Mrs Elphicke's defection showed Labour leader
Sir Keir Starmer was "an opportunist" without any "core beliefs".
"[Labour] seem to think that it's fine to bring people into the party who believe
completely different things - or did last week - to them," he added.

It is the second defection to Labour for Mr Sunak in less than two weeks, after Dr Dan
Poulter also quit the Tories last month. However, Mr Poulter was viewed as more in
the centre of the Conservative Party.

Labour insists Elphicke is 'good fit' for party

Tory MP Natalie Elphicke defects to Labour
The inside story of Tory MP's defection to Labour
Natalie Elphicke: Who is the new Labour MP?

Natalie Elphicke

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