Welsh Tory MP Charged With Driving Offences
Jamie Wallis charged with failing to stop after late night crash
Last updated 28th Apr 2022
A Tory MP has been charged with a series of driving offences after hitting a telegraph pole and cutting a village off from the internet.
Bridgend MP Jamie Wallis - who became the first openly-transgender MP - has been charged with failing to stop after a late-night crash in his Mercedes.
South Wales Police said Mr Wallis, 37, from Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, has also been charged with failing to report the crash, driving without due care and attention and leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position.
Police said the alleged incident happened in Llanblethian, near Cowbridge, in November last year.
The wooden post was broken in the collision - causing an internet failure for villagers until it was repaired several days later.
No other vehicles were involved in the 1.10am crash and no-one was injured in the collision less than two miles from the MP's home. He will appear in court next month.
Wallis said he had struggled with gender dysphoria since childhood - and had been blackmailed for £50,000 and outed to family members over the issue.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Wallis said: "I’m trans. Or to be more accurate, I want to be. I’ve been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and I’ve felt this way since I was a very young child.
"I had no intention of ever sharing this with you. I always imagined I would leave politics well before I ever said this out loud.
"I was reminded of the incredible support those you work with can provide. Also, I was reminded how important it is to be yourself. I have never lived my truth and I’m not sure how. Perhaps it starts with telling everyone.”
"There was a close call in April 2020 when someone blackmailed me, outed me to my father and sent photographs to other family members. He wanted £50,000 to keep it quiet."
Wallis said police were contacted over the blackmail and the crook was jailed for more than two years.
Wallis became the first Conservative to win the Bridgend seat of Bridgend since the 1980s when elected in 2019.
Politicians from all sides of the political spectrum rallied around to support Wallis after the announcement.