Ex-Tory Minister ‘Raped And Abused’ His MP Wife Using ‘Coercive, Controlling Behaviour', Rules Court

Disgraced former Tory MP for Burton-upon-Trent and minister for small business Andrew Griffiths was forced to resign in July 2018 after he was found to have sent "vile" and "disgusting" text messages of a sexual nature to two female constituents.

Former Conservative minister Andrew Griffiths is found to have raped and abused his ex-wife during their marriage, a UK high court has revealed.

In a judgement by a family court judge at a private trial, published on Friday, Griffiths is detailed to have raped his former spouse Kate Griffiths, now the Conservative MP for Burton, Staffordshire, when she was asleep “on a number of occasions”, while also physically assaulting and verbally abusing her to ensure she submitted to his sexual demands.

Judge Elizabeth Williscroft concluded that Andrew Griffiths used “coercive and controlling behaviour”, hitting his spouse, pushing her into a wall, spitting at her and throwing a tray of food over her. He is also said to have threatened to make her homeless or leave her without financial means.

Kate Griffiths is a hero. https://t.co/l6N34YDhKw

— Jess Phillips MP (@jessphillips) December 10, 2021

All these allegations were previously vehemently denied by Andrew Griffiths, who had previously been embroiled in a sex scandal involving sending "depraved" messages to two women constituents.

‘Abusive’ Marriage

Kate Griffiths originally laid out the allegations against her estranged husband in a Family Court case in 2019 in Derby. A judge had been overseeing an application by Andrew Griffiths arguing for improved child visitation rights to his daughter. The couple, who had a daughter, had separated in 2018.

Who Is Kate Griffiths? Facts About Andrew Griffiths Wife https://t.co/XuFAOveNgY pic.twitter.com/AmrUKcgghS

— Joe Mez (@josephmensahgh) July 15, 2018

Kate Griffiths had objected and testified that her husband had subjected her to repeated rape and physical and sexual abuse, requesting the judge to make findings of fact. While ruling the findings in favour of Ms Griffiths, the judge had decided at the time that they should not be made public to protect the child at the heart of the dispute.

However, after two journalists, which included one from the PA news agency, learned about the case and argued that the public had a right to know the findings, a more senior High Court judge ruled that the couple be named. A Judge based in the Family Division of the High Court heard the journalists’ application, supported by Kate Griffiths herself, at a private hearing in London and ruled in their favour. Andrew Griffiths challenged this ruling and asked Court of Appeal judges to consider the case.

On 10 December three appeal judges dismissed the ex-minister’s appeal, deciding that original findings of the case could be made public. Kate Griffiths welcomed the decision.

“I supported publication of the family court’s findings – and waived my right to anonymity – because I recognise the unique position I am in to campaign to improve the outcomes of cases such as this, for those who endure domestic violence, and the actions taken to protect the children involved,” she stated.

She did not clarify whether any criminal complaint had been made.

When appearing in court, Andrew Griffiths had insisted that events dating to his childhood had caused a breakdown. These claims were similar to those Griffiths had used in his defence after he was reported to have bombarded a 28-year-old barmaid and her friend with lewd comments over social media.

On 14 July 2018, the Sunday Mirror reported that Griffiths had sent almost 2,000 sexually explicit texts to the women in question. In the wake of the ensuing scandal, he quit his ministerial position and was suspended by the Conservative Party.

In an interview with the The Sunday Times in November 2018 Griffiths said that the texts were "the result of my mental breakdown" following a "battle with my own mental health". The latter was reportedly due to his being allegedly abused at the age of eight by a fifteen-year-old boy. In late 2018 Griffiths had his Tory whip restored in a move that was broadly censured.

Tory sex pests Charlie Elphicke, suspended over an alleged rape, and Andrew Griffiths, who had the whip removed after bombarding a female constituent with explicit messages, have been told they will be readmitted and allow to take part in today's ballot.
https://t.co/hDIVLdCYJi

— James James (@Tingaling007) December 12, 2018

Griffiths was subsequently cleared of breaching the House of Commons' code of conduct by the parliamentary standards watchdog.

"What matters more, political power or protecting victims of sexual harassment?"

Labour's @jessphillips asks why Conservative Andrew Griffiths was readmitted to his party in time for yesterday's confidence vote, after suspension for sexting constituents https://t.co/Lg3e12PjI4 pic.twitter.com/Fx4I1bk4CX

— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) December 13, 2018

In November 2019, Andrew Griffiths stepped down as an MP saying he would back his wife to succeed him.

NEW: Kate Griffiths, the estranged wife of ex-Tory MP Andrew Griffiths, has broken her silence for the first time after being nominated as the Tory candidate to replace him. She doesn't hold back: pic.twitter.com/J70Y8bv7bf

— Matt Dathan (@matt_dathan) November 13, 2019

Kate Griffiths was subsequently elected as Tory MP for Burton in East Staffordshire.