Rob Roberts (politician)
Rob Roberts | |
|---|---|
 Roberts in 2020 | |
| Member of Parliament for Delyn | |
| Assumed office 12 December 2019 | |
| Preceded by | David Hanson |
| Majority | 865 (2.3%) |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Former financial planner |
| Website | www |
Robert Joseph Roberts[1] is a Welsh Conservative Party politician. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Delyn in North Wales since the 2019 general election.[2] In 2020, Roberts reportedly sent sexually suggestive text messages to a junior staff member which resulted in him being referred to the British House of Commons' Complaints and Standards Committee. Roberts was also investigated by the Conservative Party; in April 2021, the Conservative Party said that Roberts was "strongly rebuked" for his conduct, but that he would not have the party whip removed.[3]
Early life and education
Roberts grew up in Northop Hall, a large village near the town of Mold, Flintshire. He attended Ysgol Maes Garmon school in Mold and is a fluent Welsh speaker.[4] Prior to being elected to Parliament, Roberts was a financial planner, working in the industry since 2003.[5]
Parliamentary career
Roberts defeated the incumbent Labour MP David Hanson at the 2019 general election. Since 2 March 2020, Roberts has been a member of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee and the Procedure Committee.[6]
Sexually suggestive text messages
On 21 July 2020, BBC Wales published text messages attributed to Roberts and sent to a female junior member of parliamentary staff in April 2020. The text messages to the staff member suggested that she "fool around with no strings". Roberts told her he "might be gay but I enjoy … fun times". The text messages continued after the intern reported struggling with her mental health. Roberts apologised for his behaviour and separately apologised for asking a male parliamentary member of staff out to dinner, which the man said had made him feel uncomfortable.[3]
Roberts was referred to Parliament's Complaints and Standards Committee in June over allegations of misconduct that resulted in one of the interns being transferred to a different department.[7][8][9] In April 2021 the Conservative Party announced that Roberts had been "strongly rebuked", but would not lose the whip. Roberts was instructed to undertake safeguarding and social media protection training.[3] On the 25 May 2021 an independent panel reccommended that Roberts should be suspended from parliament for six weeks after it found he breached Parliament's sexual misconduct policy.[10]
Personal life
Roberts announced via a number of Tweets in May 2020 that he was gay.[11][12] According to The Independent, he has separated from his wife Alexandra.[13] During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown police officers visited Roberts' home when an "illegal party" involving "balloons and banners" was reported to be taking place there.[14] Roberts denied any personal wrongdoing, stating that he was in London, 200 miles away at the time, but added that his family had been reminded of the government guidance.[15][16]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Rob Roberts | 16,756 | 43.7 | +2.6 | |
| Labour | David Hanson | 15,891 | 41.4 | −10.8 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Andrew Parkhurst | 2,346 | 6.1 | +3.5 | |
| Brexit Party | Nigel Williams | 1,971 | 5.1 | N/A | |
| Plaid Cymru | Paul Rowlinson | 1,406 | 3.7 | −0.1 | |
| Rejected ballots | 105 | ||||
| Majority | 865 | 2.3 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 38,370 | 70.3 | −2.5 | ||
| Registered electors | 54,552 | ||||
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | ||||
Of the 105 rejected ballots:
- 87 were either unmarked or it was uncertain who the vote was for.[17]
- 18 voted for more than one candidate.[17]
References
- ^ "Members Sworn". Hansard.parliament.uk. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ "Delyn parliamentary constituency - Election 2019". BBC News. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ a b c "Tory MP who asked intern to 'fool around' will not lose party whip". The Guardian. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ "About Rob Roberts". www.rjroberts.co.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- ^ "Meet The Team". chesterpartnership.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- ^ "Parliamentary career for Rob Roberts - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament". members.parliament.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ "Delyn MP Rob Roberts invited intern to 'fool around' with him". BBC News Online. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- ^ "Delyn MP Rob Roberts "facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour" according to the BBC". Deeside.com. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- ^ "Tory MP accused of inviting intern, 21, to 'fool around' with him". Evening Standard. 21 July 2020.
- ^ "Conservative MP Rob Roberts told staffer to be 'less alluring'". BBC News. 25 May 2021.
- ^ "Conservative MP Rob Roberts Comes Out". My G Work. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "Conservative MP Rob Roberts comes out and calls for more global LGBTQ acceptance". Gay Times. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ Drury, Colin (27 May 2020). "Police called to break up 'lockdown party' at Conservative MP's house". The Independent. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ Drury, Colin (27 May 2020). "Rob Roberts: Police called to break up 'party' at Conservative MP's house". The Independent. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "Coronavirus: MP says he was 200 miles away after party claims". BBC News Online. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "North Wales MP denies wrongdoing after police reportedly called to 'birthday party' at his home". ITV News Online. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- ^ a b c "Search Results" (PDF). flintshire.gov.uk. Flintshire County Council. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
- ^ "Delyn parliamentary constituency - Election 2019". BBC News. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
