Mark Oaten, Liberal Democrats' Home Affairs spokesperson, has
resigned over an alleged affair with a young man, according to
local media on Sunday.
Oaten, 41, stepped down after The News of the World
confronted the MP with the sex scandal allegations. He has
apologized for the embarrassment he has caused to his family and
the party.
The paper said his liaisons with a 23-year-old man during 2004
and 2005 included three-in-a-bed sex.
Oaten said, "I would like to apologize for errors of judgment in
my personal behavior and for the embarrassment caused, firstly to
my family but also to my friends, my constituents and my
party."
The revelations follow the resignation of former leader Charles
Kennedy after he admitted being treated for alcoholism.
Oaten, MP for Winchester, had been a contender to head the party
but stepped out of the race.
(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2006)
