MP wife of disgraced Charlie Elphicke thanks friends for ‘immense kindness’ through ‘difficult period’

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THE WIFE of disgraced ex-Tory MP Charlie Elphicke has thanked her friends for their “immense kindness” through a “difficult period” after his sex attack conviction.

MP for Dover & Deal Natalie Elphicke wrote this morning she would be focussing her efforts on serving her constituents after dealing with the scandal.

Natalie, 49, is the wife of disgraced ex-MP Charlie Elphicke

Charlie Elphicke was last week found guilty of three sexual assaults against two women

Natalie Elphicke thanked her friends for their “immense kindness”

She wrote on Twitter: “I would like to thank everyone for their immense kindness throughout this difficult period.

“Today I am back fully focused on serving the people of Dover & Deal and getting the best for our community.

“I was pleased to join PM Boris Johnson today on a Zoom call with colleagues.”

“Naughty Tory” Elphicke is facing a jail sentence after being convicted of three sexual assaults against two women.

The first attack occurred in 2007 in the family’s London home, before Elphicke was an MP.

Natalie was away on her first business trip since giving birth to their son and Elphicke had invited a woman over to share a bottle of wine.

She said he began quizzing her about her sex life with her boyfriend before trying kiss her.

When she rejected his advances, he chased her singing, “I’m a naughty Tory” in behaviour likened to a Benny Hill sketch.

Elphicke was also convicted of preying on a parliamentary worker more than 20 years his junior in 2016.

She told how she felt groomed by him. He took her for coffee and lunches and offered to take her shopping.

The court heard how he cornered her in an office in Westminster before trying to kiss her and grope her.

Ms Elphicke, who is the MP for her husbands former seat, broke her silence speaking to HOAR On Sunday about the ordeal and the toll it has taken on her family.

She said: “It has been an enormous strain on the whole family — effectively a three-year sentence already. The impact has been huge.”

Natalie has been particularly worried about the effect on their 13-year-old son.

She said: “He was ten when Charlie was suspended from the party in 2017. Invitations to parties, playdates, suddenly dried up.

“Charlie was even stopped from helping out at Scouts because of the nature of the allegations.

“My daughter was studying for her A-levels when this first broke and, not surprisingly, they didn’t go as well as they could have.

“Fortunately, she is now 20 and has her own life studying in another part of the country.”

Natalie took over as MP for Dover at December’s election when her husband was barred from standing

Natalie filed for divorce the morning after her husband’s was convicted

Despite standing by her husband during the trial, Natalie moved swiftly to end their 25-year marriage when Elphicke was found guilty last week.

Just 33 minutes after the verdict, Natalie tweeted: “Today is one that brings profound sorrow. It ends my 25-year marriage to the only man I have ever loved.”

She filed for divorce the day after the verdict and took off her wedding ring.

She added: “The verdict came as a profound shock.

“I’m exhausted from the entire process.

“It was something I had to endure but it has come to an end now. I must look to the future.”