MP Rob Roberts has been branded "cringey" for sending birthday cards to 18-year-old constituents, after being suspended for sexually harassing a former aide.
Twitter user Sharon Hitchcock posted images of a promotional birthday card sent to her niece.
Ex-Tory Mr Roberts today returned from serving a six-week Commons suspension for sexually harassing a former staff member, and had the whip withdrawn by the Conservative Party.
An Independent Expert Panel ruled he had committed “significant” misconduct, and had abused his position.
After the ruling, Mr Roberts apologised, saying the “breach of trust” was “completely improper and should not have happened.”
But a loophole in Commons rules means he won’t face a “recall” vote, which would see them ousted from Parliament.
The card, thought to have been sent by Mr Roberts’ office to all locals once they reach voting age, reads: "Turning 18 is not just about being old enough to vote at election time, but making decisions for yourself about your future life and career."
It goes on to say it is Mr Roberts' job to represent "all residents living in Delyn, regardless of their political opinions."
It adds: "If I can help with any query or if you would just like to meet for a chat about an issue do let me know by getting in touch via the contact details given on the back of this card."
Ms Hitchcock wrote: "Hmmm, should my 18-year-old niece take him up on the offer of a chat?".
The promotional card does not mention the Conservative Party, which suggests Mr Roberts had them made after he was booted out of the party.
It's not unusual for MPs to write to their constituents on their 18th birthday, when they are legally old enough to vote.
But the strategy indicates Mr Roberts does not intend to step down from the Commons, despite widespread calls for him to face expulsion.
The Mirror approached Mr Roberts for comment.
In a statement released following the judgement in May, he admitted he had “asked a male member of Parliamentary staff to dinner in the hope of striking up a personal relationship. I recognise that this breach of trust in the MP-staff relationship was completely improper and should not have happened.
“I apologised at the time and do so again to the complainant but also to my colleagues, family and most importantly my constituents.”
Mr Roberts was “strongly rebuked” over a separate incident in 2020, after WhatsApp messages emerged showing him inviting a young female parliamentary intern to “fool around” with him.
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Labour ’s Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Thangam Debbonaire has put forward a motion to change the rules so MPs suspended for sexual misconduct could face a recall vote.
But even if passed, this would be unlikely to apply retrospectively.
And while Boris Johnson has admitted there is “clearly a loophole” and it “should be closed” - the government has yet to agree to time in the Commons to debate the motion.
"I think if the government is serious about standards in public life... they will allow time for the debate on my motion," Ms Debbonaire said last week.
"If they don't, the only good reasons I can accept are that they bring their own motion and they deal with this problematic MP."
