Ex-Greater Manchester MP William Wragg speaks of 'enormous guilt' following 'honeytrap' scandal

The former Greater Manchester MP at the centre of the 'honeytrap' scandal has described how an 'unwise' situation span into a crisis. William Wragg quit the Conservative Party in April after admitting giving politicians' phone numbers out to a scammer he encountered through the dating app Grindr.

He began messaging a profile named 'Charlie' and after becoming swept up in messages with the 'attractive guy', the pair exchanged naked images. But what seemed a blossoming connection turned sour when 'Charlie' began to ask for the numbers of Mr Wragg's colleagues.

Speaking about the ordeal to the BBC, Mr Wragg said he 'felt a threat' as the conversation 'turned a bit weird'. He handed over around a dozen phone numbers, including those of MPs.

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A number of politicians were later contacted by the scammer who claimed to be 'Charlie' or 'Abi'. After leaving the Conservatives, Mr Wragg stepped down as Hazel Grove's MP ahead of the July 4 general election.

Mr Wragg recalls having 'very dark thoughts' in the moment he found himself at the centre of the political storm, travelling to his parents' home in the early hours of one April morning to tell them: "I need to go to hospital." He then went to A&E, telling the receptionist: "I'm suicidal."

Recalling the moment he first struck up conversation with the scammer, Mr Wragg told the BBC he was 'quite lonely' following a day at Westminster. He recalled using a 'blank online profile' on Grindr before messaging 'Charlie' to say hello, before the pair moved the conversation to WhatsApp.

"I was actually very flattered because he was an attractive guy," Wragg said. "And he had a manner in the conversation that was assertive, but slightly cocky. That's an attractive quality too."

The pair exchanged naked photos, which Mr Wragg admits 'obviously' was not wise, but at the time, he said he was 'in the moment'. They arranged a date at the pub, but Mr Wragg was stood up 'because as it transpired he wasn't real'.

'Charlie' apologised for failing to show up and the pair continued to talk, before Mr Wragg was asked for the phone numbers. He told the BBC: "He said 'you've got two minutes to send me these numbers'. And that's when it, as far as I was concerned, turned a bit weird."

Help and support

Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org, write to Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS (no more information needed) and visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.

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Greater Manchester Bereavement Service Greater Manchester Bereavement Service can help to find support for anyone in Greater Manchester that has been bereaved or affected by a death. No one needs to feel alone as they deal with their grief. www.greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk

Childline (0800 1111 ) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.

PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.

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Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying studentsagainstdepression.org

For information and links to charities and organisations that can help with substance abuse, visit https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/drugs/

Asked if he felt he was being blackmailed, Mr Wragg added: "I don't know. There was never anything that was explicit to say that, but I certainly felt a threat."

Mr Wragg admitted giving out the phone numbers to the Times in April. At the time, he said: "They had compromising things on me.

"They wouldn’t leave me alone. They would ask for people. I gave them some numbers, not all of them. I told him to stop. He’s manipulated me and now I’ve hurt other people."

The 36-year-old's political career began to unravel in the week that followed. Mr Wragg says he feels 'guilt' for what happened, telling the BBC: "That's why I felt so, so sorry and shameful."