John Hemming, Lib Dem MP
Chatting up anti-war hippie girls with leftist rhetoric was his only option.
Regards, Ivan
Posted on 06/18/2005 2:46:55 AM PDT by MadIvan
A married MP promised to stay with his wife yesterday after admitting that his personal assistant is having his baby.
John Hemming, 46, a newly elected Liberal Democrat MP, said Emily Cox, 27, a city councillor with whom he has had an affair for six years, was expecting their child in November.
He said his wife, Christine, was "not best pleased" when he broke the news to her but he had no intention of leaving her.
Mrs Hemming said that even though she felt "betrayed and hurt" and that the pregnancy "sends out a disgraceful moral message", she would stand by her husband.
She indicated that the affair was one of many her husband had had, and accused Miss Cox of "trying to force his hand" to move in with her by getting pregnant.
Mr Hemming became Birmingham's first Liberal Democrat MP when he won the Yardley seat at last month's general election.
Prior to that he was the deputy leader of Birmingham city council. He is known as a flamboyant, jazz-loving piano-player and already has two daughters, aged 14 and five, and a son aged 12
He said yesterday: "I was having an affair, Emily is pregnant and I'm not leaving my wife. We are still living together." The couple share a house in the Moseley area.
However, Mr Hemming said he would not comment on whether the affair was over.
The MP, who studied atomic, nuclear and theoretical physics at Magdalen College, Oxford, and speaks five languages, added: "I will, of course, look after Emily and the baby - they are my responsibility. All my children are loved children and I take my role as a father very seriously."
He said he did not believe the affair would blight his political career. "My constituents are mostly concerned that I do a good job for them as an MP, and not other factors that are personal. I am sure they still have faith in my ability."
The pregnancy was kept secret during the general election campaign. Yesterday, in a show of unity, Mr Hemmings and his wife were photographed together. Mrs Hemming, 46, said: "This has obviously caused a lot of upset and heartache. I feel betrayed and hurt.
"I think this sort of thing sends out a disgraceful moral message. So many problems in society are caused by single parents and the breakdown of the family and while John is obviously very concerned with improving peoples' lives he has only added to the problem.
"But we've been married since 1982 and, like most relationships, we've had our ups and downs. I meant my vows when I said them 23 years ago and, for better or worse, we will work out a way of getting through this."
She added: "Emily's told me in no uncertain terms that she wants a future for her and John together and that 'she's not going anywhere'.
"She was obviously trying to force his hand in some way. I think she took advantage of him. But he loves me and we have three beautiful children together."
Mrs Hemming said she already knew about the affair with Miss Cox, adding: "She is about number 26."
Miss Cox, who is single and sits as an adjudicator on Birmingham's adoption panel, said:" The pregnancy was unplanned but the baby is very much wanted and will be very much loved."
John Hemming, Lib Dem MP
Chatting up anti-war hippie girls with leftist rhetoric was his only option.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
What a dork ! Got a pic of the babe ?
Sadly, no. I do get the sense she'd make me think of old "Eagles" records. The Lib Dems are the Birkenstock crowd.
Regards, Ivan
Mrs. Hemming needs her head examined.
I guess he's got an appealing personality because he looks like he's taken a beating from an ugly stick.
IMO any woman who puts up with a man who continually disrespects her, should have professional counseling and all his money.
;D
Indeed. Blair looks even better after this - when Robin Cook was having an affair, Blair ordered him, "Make up your mind, you cannot have a wife and a mistress". Cook chose the mistress, and his career was ruined.
In contrast the Lib Dems look positively idiotic to let this serial adulterer run riot.
Regards, Ivan
"Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac" --- Henry Kissinger
As an aside, the Lib Dems are direct descendents of the old Whig Party. Sir Edmund Burke is rolling over in his grave, as is Gladstone.
I am awaiting the ghost of Gladstone, holding a large leather bound book containing all that the Liberal Party believed in during the 19th century, most of which was good and right and true, to come back and beat the present Liberals over the head with said book.
Regards, Ivan
"I meant my vows when I said them 23 years ago." What part of those vows did he not understand?
All of them, apparently.
Typical bloody Liberal.
Regards, Ivan
What an ugly rooster.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
I dont know which is the worse of the two moral messages, Mrs. Hemming, an adultorous pregnancy or being loving money so much that you cannot walk away from an immoral situaion.
Freddie and his wife ...
you're right. It's probably the security. I cannot imagine having such incredibly low self esteem that I would stay in a situation like that.
Oops ...it disappeared ...
"He said his wife, Christine, was "not best pleased"
A fine example of British understatement!
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