Besieged: Hague’s assistant in hiding
0 Comments | Northern Echo, Sep 3, 2010 | by Joe Willis
Media surround family home despite denials of ‘improper’ relationship
THE family home of Foreign Secretary William Hague’s former aide, Christopher Myers, was under siege yesterday as the media furore over their friendship showed no sign of abating.
Journalists kept vigil outside the house of Mr Myers’ parents, in Bolton-on-Swale, near Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, as the Foreign Secretary admitted his decision to publicly deny the relationship was “not an easy thing to do”.
In a separate statement, Downing Street said the Richmond MP had the Prime Minister’s “100 per cent support”.
It was unclear last night if Mr Myers, 25, who resigned from his role as special advisor to Mr Hague citing pressure on his family, was inside the detached property.
In a press conference at the Foreign Office, Mr Hague said his former aide was “someone who is rather fed-up of the political world, and who can blame him?”.
The former Tory leader said he went public to deny the allegations because he and his wife, Ffion, who live about four miles away near Colburn, had “had enough”.
He said he decided to “put the record straight” about the rumours that had been circulating, particularly on internet sites.
Inan earlier statement on Wednesday, Mr Hague denied having had an improper relationship with Mr Myers and insisted his marriage was secure.
He also revealed that his wife, Ffion, had suffered a number of miscarriages as they tried to start a family.
The Foreign Secretary said he had no more to add to his statement yesterday, but gave an insight into why he and Ffion had decided to go public.
He said: “I made a very personal statement, which was not an easy thing to do. I am not going to expand on that.
“My wife and I really felt we had had enough of the circulation of untrue allegations, particularly on the internet, and at some point you have to speak out about that and put the record straight.”
Mr Hague said the work of the Foreign Office “had not missed a beat at any stage” despite the rumours circulating about him.
A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said: “We have always given William our 100 per cent support. That was the case yesterday and it is the case today. The Prime Minister totally understands why William made the statement he did and he backs him 100 per cent.”
There was also support from the chairman of Richmondshire Conservative Association.
Christopher Bourne-Arton said: “William Hague is a brilliant Conservative MP, a fantastic cabinet minister and a great fellow.
“You do not have to wander the streets of Richmond for very long to realise he has universal support with friend and foe alike
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