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U.K. Lawmaker Brooks Newmark Quits Politics Amid Sexting Scandal

An American-born lawmaker in Britain's parliament is quitting politics amid a sexting scandal.
Image: Brooks Newmark
Connecticut-born Brooks Newmark, 56, will not seek re-election for Britain's Westminster parliament in May.Oli Scarff / Getty Images, file

LONDON — An American-born lawmaker in Britain's parliament is quitting politics amid a sexting scandal. Brooks Newmark, who is originally from Westport, Connecticut, stood down from his Cabinet position as minister for civil society two weeks ago after he sent explicit photos to a male reporter posing as a female party activist. On Sunday, the married father of five announced he would not stand for re-election in May after a second story in The Sun on Sunday newspaper revealed racy photos he had sent to a single mom. The 56-year-old millionaire also said he would seek psychiatric help.

"Behind the outward facade of success and achievement, I have been battling demons — and losing to them," Newmark wrote in a lengthy statement in the Mail on Sunday. "I craved adrenaline and risk." The Conservative politician said the messages were "a series of flirtations in response to approaches from women on social media."

Image: Brooks Newmark
Connecticut-born Brooks Newmark, 56, will not seek re-election for Britain's Westminster parliament in May.Oli Scarff / Getty Images, file

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