Braintree MP Brooks Newmark has resigned from his position as minister for civil society over allegations he sent sexually explicit images of himself to an undercover reporter.
The father of five reportedly used social media to send the images to the reporter, who was posing as a female activist, according to the Sunday Mirror. In one of them, the 56-year-old is said to have sent an image exposing himself while wearing paisley pajamas.
In a statement made after his resignation was accepted, he 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."
Mr Newmark was only handed the role of minister for civil society in July during the summer cabinet reshuffle. His place will be taken by Rob Wilson.
The resignation comes one day before the final Conservative Party Conference ahead of next year's general election, and along with news that Mark Reckless, MP for Rochester and Strood, has defected to Ukip.
