there's nothing like a (alleged) british sex scandal

maybe he's just a cheapskate?

from The Mirror

William Hague may resign over gay aide claims

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By James Lyons 3/09/2010

William Hague was battered by Tory grandees yesterday questioning his judgment over the decision to share hotel bedrooms with a young aide.

The Foreign Secretary's party weighed in after his extraordinary statement - denying he was gay - failed to end the storm over his relationship with Christopher Myers.

Friends suggested a disillusioned Mr Hague could be set to leave Government.

One said: "William lives and breathes politics but recently has not looked like a man whose heart is it in it for life."

At a Foreign Office press conference, a grim-faced Mr Hague, 49, said of Mr Myers, 25: "He is clearly someone who is rather fed up with politics and who can blame him?"

Mr Hague said he understood the younger man's decision to resign as a special adviser because of the strain placed on his family by unfounded allegations about the pair.

Mr Myers resigned on Wednesday when Mr Hague released his statement admitting the two had shared hotel rooms but denying anything improper.

The minister also insisted his marriage to Ffion, 42, was strong despite heartache over unsuccessful attempts to start a family. He said he had never been in a relationship "with any man".

The wealthy former Tory leader hoped the declaration would put paid to allegations sparked by the Guido Fawkes political gossip website and draw a line under it all.

But he faced a barrage of fresh questions after senior Conservatives, led by ex-Cabinet minister John Redwood, accused him of a lack of judgment.

The Foreign Secretary, faced reporters at yesterday morning's press conference with his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle, who is, coincidentally, gay.

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Mr Hague, whose personal fortune is estimated at over £2million, refused to say why he decided to share a room with Mr Myers.

He said: "I made a very personal statement, which was not an easy thing to do. I am not going to expand on that today.

"My wife and I 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."

He also declined to respond to criticism from fellow Tories or reveal why he decided to appoint Mr Myers, who has no experience of foreign affairs, to the post paying £30,000 a year.

Mr Hague insisted: "I think everything else was covered in what I said yesterday and I don't want to add to that any further." Questions if Mr Hague had holidayed with Mr Myers or given him gifts were rebuffed by his spin doctors.

A statement from Mr Myers "categorically" denied any improper relationship.

But the pressure on Mr Hague from his own party increased. Former chairman Lord Tebbit said the one-time leader had been "naive at best, foolish at worst".

John Redwood, who Mr Hague once replaced as Welsh Secretary, said making the personal statement invited criticism.

Writing on his blog Mr Redwood said: "I have studiously ignored the rumours and stories circulating on other websites and at a fairly empty Westminster.

"Today I cannot ignore it, as Mr Hague has issued an unusual statement and invited comment. It confirms he has shared hotel rooms with a young male assistant...

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/09/03/william-hague-may-resign-over-gay-aide-claims-115875-22533321/#ixzz0yRw1hI6c
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