By Steve Robson
Northern Reporter
Former Conservative MP William Wragg has openly discussed the “enormous guilt” he feels after becoming embroiled in a scam that targeted Westminster politicians. The 36-year-old resigned from his role as a party representative and stepped down from his position as the MP for Hazel Grove following the fallout from the “honeytrap” scandal.
In an interview with the BBC, Wragg explained how, in early 2021, he was drawn into a complex scam that involved fake identities, including the aliases “Charlie” and “Abi,” who lured several politicians, including Wragg, into sharing explicit photos and personal information.
Wragg admitted that at the time, he felt lonely and connected with Charlie on the gay dating app Grindr. They exchanged explicit photos shortly after they met, a decision he now regrets. “When you’re in the moment, it wasn’t a consideration,” Wragg reflected. “I know that might sound ridiculous, but we’re all human.”
As the relationship progressed, Charlie began requesting phone numbers of other politicians, which Wragg reluctantly provided. Although he said he wasn’t explicitly blackmailed, Wragg felt a sense of pressure and a desire to please Charlie. “It was deceitful,” Wragg confessed, especially when he later vouched for Charlie’s identity to new victims.
The scandal unfolded months later, with multiple men being targeted by the catfisher. Wragg said that when he discovered the full scope of what had transpired, his “stomach just dropped,” and he was filled with “enormous remorse.”
The public attention surrounding the scandal took a toll on Wragg’s mental health. In a vulnerable moment, Wragg revealed he suffered panic attacks and ultimately sought medical help, even reporting suicidal thoughts. His mother took him to the emergency department, and shortly afterward, he resigned from his parliamentary roles.
Reflecting on his fall from grace, Wragg stated that he felt no bitterness or anger, but instead a deep sense of shame. “It’s a source of great shame that my time in Parliament ended this way,” he said. Despite his own remorse, Wragg was criticized by a former MP, who claimed that Wragg had never apologized to the other victims whose privacy was compromised.
In the aftermath of the scandal, Wragg expressed a sobering view of the mental health challenges faced by MPs. He noted the limited availability of mental health beds in Westminster, highlighting the intense pressures politicians often face.
While Wragg now moves on from his political career, the impact of the scandal continues to shape his public life. The case also remains under investigation, with a Labour Party member arrested in June on suspicion of related offences under the Online Safety Act.