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.

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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.

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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