When I began to read this I felt very grateful to Cranmer for his support. By the time I had finished, there was a lump in my throat.

http://bit.ly/hlSg17

The State may need another Churchill.

The Church may need another Luther.

Parliament may need another Wilberforce.

But the unborn cry out for a Josiah

http://bit.ly/ePnE5f       Which doesn't mis quote me... but also doesnt really give the true flavour of the interview

On Friday evening I spoke at a meeting called by John and Fran Andel on behalf of Ampthill Development Action Group which was held at Redbourne School.

The attendance figure is around 500 which in itself demonstrates how many Ampthill residents are concerned regarding the level of over development™ Ampthill is being subjected to.

This particular meeting focused on Fallowfield and the plan to build a new housing estate which would bring an entire section of Ampthill right onto and along the A 507.

I'm not opposed to appropriate housing development, however, the schools turn children away each year.

We have no parking at the train station, the centre of Ampthill is over congested causing painful gridlock and the infrastructure is groaning.

It is also the case that the market town roads were never built or designed to take this level of development - unless people in Ampthill decide to change from cars and travel by horse and carriage!

Positive steps have been taken as a result of the first meeting and it was great to have been joined by the excellent Cllr Paul Duckett and Cllr Sommerfield.

I look forward to presenting a petition to Parliament soon.

It’s been a tricksy day at the office today – best explained via the email to my members and statements to the press. I do understand that as an MP I am not really entitled to any privacy, however, I am concerned that any story is reported accurately and therefore, I have blogged the press statements issued today.

Dear Members,

I thought I should let you know that I have recently begun a relationship. It is very, very early days and we had wanted to wait a while, just to be sure of the future before we told anyone, however, the Daily Mail have decided that they would like to run their own version of a story.

John and his family have been friends of my family for thirteen years. He is recently separated from his wife. The nature of our relationship altered over the Christmas period.

I'm sorry about the media, however, there is little I can do I am afraid and the advice from CCHQ is to brave it out and it will become old news very quickly.

We have five daughters between us who are all very happy and supportive as are all our friends and family, however, as I said, it's early days yet.

Happy New Year everyone.

Yours,

Nadine

My statement to press;

 

I can confirm that I am in the early stages of a romantic relationship with John Butler.

John and I have been friends for many years and the status of our relationship altered over the Christmas period following his decision to leave his wife.

We both have the full support of our five teenage and young adult daughters who have been our first consideration throughout.

 

Ends

Statement by John Butler

Having been in an abusive relationship for a considerable time, I took the decision to leave my wife, Rachael Butler, who suffers from alcoholism, in December 2010.

I will confirm that I am in a romantic relationship with Nadine Dorries, who has been a good friend for 13 years.

I have the full support of my two daughters, family and friends who have been incredibly kind with the generosity and care they have shown towards us.

My decision to leave Rachael was taken separately from that to enter a relationship with Nadine. Had I not known Nadine, I would still have left Rachael.

I now hope to be able to create a more peaceful stable, family environment for my two daughters from that which they have been used to for some considerable time.

Ends

John Butler

 

Statement by Lucy Butler, John’s daughter

 

My father has endured thirty years of my mother’s alcoholism and I have not had the love and support of a mother, whilst my father has always been a rock in the lives of my sister and me.
When my father left home on previous occasions my mother promised to resolve her drinking. All our friends and family have been urging him for many years to leave my mother. Because of his beliefs he has remained in an unhappy house and this has affected his health. Finally, my father decided enough was enough and planned to leave, before having a relationship with Nadine, who has been wonderfully supportive of us throughout this impossible time.

Ends..

I wont be making any further comments. Any further press queries please contact  lynn@elson.myzen.co.uk