25 Mar 2015

Brooks Newmark breaks silence over sexting scandal

Tory MP Brooks Newmark speaks exclusively to Channel 4 News in first interview since resigning over a scandal that destroyed his 30-year career in politics

Speaking to Cathy Newman, the Tory MP explains that he has suffered from depression since the age of six after his father died; is still trying to come to terms with why he destroyed his career; but accepts full responsibility for what he did, especially the hurt he caused his family.

Newmark, a married father of five, resigned as minister for civil society after he was caught in a sting organised by the Sunday Mirror in which he sent sexually explicit photos of himself to what he thought was a female Conservative activist, but was in fact a male undercover reporter.

The MP says: “To suddenly become minister for civil society, which is something I really looked forward to and then to literally press the self-destruct button was something I’m still really trying to come to terms with.

Cathy Newman blog: Sexting, depression and ambition – Brooks Newmark MP in his own words

“I think you set targets for yourself to make you feel good but then when you achieve those targets, it didn’t feel good enough and it drives you in this unvirtuous circle where you just don’t feel good enough and that was certainly my case.”

It’s a fact that I have done this. I have to live with the consequences
Brooks Newmark

In the wake of the scandal, Newmark announced he would stand down at the next election. Speaking about that, he says: “I accept full responsibility for what I did, particularly the hurt I caused my wife and kids, there is no excuse at all and I think that one of the reasons I’m stepping down is for that reason.”

Newmark also speaks about his battle with depression, which he says he has suffered from since he was six, after the death of his father: “Over time you just learn to mask it.”

“I think when you in many ways blow yourself up, both figuratively and literally, my depression suddenly went, it was really odd and this blackness that I felt just literally left and I sort of don’t feel that anymore. So I am hoping I can have a healthier relationship with my family going forward and that’s important to me.”

Ruined relationship

For the MP, his actions and their consequences are something he will have to live with. He accepts his political career is over but says that he just wants to move forward with his life and try to rebuild his ruined relationship with his family.

“It’s a fact that I have done this. I have to live with the consequences of that but I hope it doesn’t stop me continuing doing good things out there.

“You can’t run away from it. You live with the consequences of that but you try and move forward.”

The MP added that people need to realise that politicians are flawed.

“I think a lot of times people think, politicians put up fronts and try and hide behind some form of perfection and I guess maybe a little bit of honesty sometimes and saying, we’re some of us, maybe there are other politicians who are perfect out there, but some of us are flawed.”