Natalie Elphicke says sorry for backing 'naughty Tory' sex attacker ex-husband ... trends now

Natalie Elphicke apologised for backing her ex-husband when he was convicted of sexual assaults today as Keir Starmer tries to quell a furious backlash.

The Dover MP, who dramatically defected from the Tories yesterday, said she was 'sorry' for remarks in which she suggested Charlie Elphicke had been 'targeted' by his victims.     

In a statement, she also insisted she had not taken the decision to switch sides 'lightly' and genuinely believed the country needed Sir Keir in No10. 

A jubilant Sir Keir unveiled Ms Elphicke as his latest recruit in a moment of high drama at PMQs yesterday, insisting it showed Rishi Sunak's government was crumbling.

But the stunt immediately threatened to backfire as Labour figures expressed outrage that the Dover MP - previously regarded as on the hardline end of the Conservatives - did not share the party's 'values'.

One NEC member complained about becoming a 'dustbin' for Tory right-wingers, while even Lord Kinnock, normally a staunch supporter of Sir Keir, warned he must be 'choosy' and 'there are limits'.

Birkenhead MP Mick Whitley said it was 'outrageous' Ms Elphicke was allowed to join Labour when Diane Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn remain suspended. 

Ms Elphicke has said she does not intend to stand for election again in Dover, but a Labour spokesman said she could be given an unpaid role advising the party on housing. 

It was the second Tory defection to Labour in a fortnight, following the switch by former minister Dan Poulter last week. 

Labour chair Anneliese Dodds struggled in interviews this morning as she was asked how Ms Elphicke can be a Labour MP when Ms Abbott is still in the cold amid an investigation into comments relating to anti-semitism.

Ms Elphicke said today: 'My decision to join the Labour Party is not one I have taken lightly but one I made because I am convinced that this country needs a new government led by Keir Starmer to fix the problems we see from housing to small boats.

'I always knew that this decision would put a spotlight on the prosecution of my ex-husband and I want to address some of the commentary around this head on.

'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.

'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.

'It is vital that women can have confidence in the criminal justice system and our rates of prosecution and conviction are far too low as a country.

'Keir Starmer's mission to halve male violence against women and girls is critical and I wanted to take the opportunity to express my explicit support for Labour colleagues working to realise it.'

During interviews this morning, Ms Dodds told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Look, I have enormous respect for Diane Abbott, she was an absolute trailblazer, and of course we set out those proposals for a new race equality act some weeks ago when I was really privileged to have been able to discuss those with her.

'But, as I have said before, we have got a process, there is an independent one that does operate without fear or favour, and that is quite right.

'It is not one that is subject to political influence, nor indeed should it be.'

She refused to 'go into detail' about why Ms Abbott's complaint process has taken more than year, but Ms Elphicke has been admitted into the Labour Party.

Ms Elphicke was condemned by former colleagues on the Tory benches, with rail minister Huw Merriman branding her a 'shameless opportunist'. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said this morning that it was a 'very odd fit' and played down fears of more defections, saying she believed most of her colleagues were 'more principled than that'.

However, Sir Keir also faced a backlash over his decision to embrace an MP who had branded him 'Sir Softie' over his stance on immigration and who defended her former MP husband when he was convicted of sexual assault.

One Labour MP said: 'I think it's utterly disgraceful.

'She's totally right-wing and supported her husband when he sexually assaulted women.

'There are Labour MPs still suspended and we're welcoming MPs who have voted to push people into poverty. I despair.'

Jess Phillips, a former shadow minister, said Ms 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.'

The branch of the GMB union that represents MPs' staff said it had requested a meeting with Labour whips 'regarding vetting of sitting MPs and candidates', with branch chairwoman Jenny Symmons describing the decision as 'really, really poor and disappointing'.

Another MP said she had been left in tears by the news of Ms Elphicke's defection.

Former Labour leader Lord Kinnock warned Sir Keir he should be 'choosy' when deciding whether to accept defectors known to have hardline Right-wing views.

He told the BBC: 'As far the party is concerned more generally, I think we have got to be choosy to a degree about who we allow to join our party because it's a very broad church but churches have walls and there are limits.'

At least one female Labour MP is reported to have made a formal complaint to party whips about the decision.

Labour MPs privately voiced fears about Sir Keir's decision to welcome Ms Elphicke. One said: 'There is a lot of concern about whether we have done our due diligence on this one.'

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell branded the move a 'political stunt' and warned it could backfire as Ms Elphicke has held views on issues like immigration 'which I don't think the party should be associated with'.

He told LBC Radio: '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.'

Mish Rahman, a member of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, said: 'From Starmer's decision today, he wants Labour to be a dustbin for (right-wing) Tory politicians who have inflicted colossal damage on our country. I'd rather beat every Tory... instead Starmer wants them in his Parliamentary party.'

In a lengthy statement, Ms Elphicke said Labour had undergone 'dramatic' change and was now the party of the centre ground while the Conservatives had become 'a byword for incompetence and division'.

She also accused the Government of failing to stop the boats, adding: 'It's clear they have failed to keep our borders secure and cannot be trusted.'

Dover MP on the frontline of Channel migrant crisis who replaced jailed 'naughty Tory' ex-husband Charlie in Commons and criticised Marcus Rashford over free school

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