BRIDGEND MP Jamie Wallis has opened up about his gender identity, being the victim of rape and a recent run-in with the law in a public statement.

Dr Wallis said the statement, published online in the early hours of this morning (March 30), was something "I always imagined I would leave politics well before I ever said... out loud".

"I have never lived my truth and I’m not sure how," Dr Wallis said. "Perhaps it starts with telling everyone."

Dr Wallis was elected as the Conservative Party MP for Bridgend in 2019.

In this morning's statement, Dr Wallis spoke about:

• Wanting to be transgender, and being "diagnosed with gender dysphoria".

• An incident of alleged blackmail by a man who "wanted £50,000 to keep quiet" or else threatened to "out" Dr Wallis to family members.

• Being the alleged victim of a rape "a few months back" with "someone who I met online", and the resultant trauma.

• Subsequently, being in trouble with the police after fleeing the scene of a car crash.

• Living with PTSD and the support of party colleagues.

Here is Dr Wallis' statement in full:

"Yesterday the parliamentary party had a photo in the chamber and then we went for dinner together. It was nice, especially for those of us in the ‘2019 intake’ of MPs who haven’t done anything like that before.

"It was lovely to speak to colleagues away from Parliament, and I appreciated the occasion for a number of reasons.

"I’ve had a lot of support from the Whips since I was elected. Not for the reasons you might think, but there’s a lot that goes on in MPs lives and the Whips play an important wellbeing role – as far as I’ve seen they try their best to support and help MPs who are having a tough time. Well they’ve certainly earned their keep with me.

"I’m trans. Or to be more accurate, I want to be. I’ve been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and I’ve felt this way since I was a very young child. I had no intention of ever sharing this with you. I always imagined I would leave politics well before I ever said this out loud.

"There was a close call in April 2020 when someone Blackmailed me, outed me to my father and sent photographs to other family members. He wanted £50,000 to keep quiet. The police were so supportive, so understanding and on this occasion the system worked. He pled guilty and was sentenced to 2yrs and 9mnths in prison.

"For a while it seemed as though I would be able to get on with things and move on. Being an MP and hiding something like this was always going to be tough, but I arrogantly assumed I was up for it.

"Well, I’m not.

"A few months back, in September, I “hooked up” with someone who I met online and when I chose to say ‘no’ on the basis that he wouldn’t wear a condom he chose to rape me. I have not been myself since this incident and I don’t think I will ever recover. It is not something you ever forget, and it is not something you ever move on from.

"Since then things have really taken a tumble. I am not ok.

"When I crashed my car on the 28th November I fled the scene. I did so because I was terrified. I have PTSD and I honestly have no idea what I was doing except I was overcome by an overwhelming sense of fear. I am sorry that it appears I “ran away” but this isn’t how it happened in the moment.

"Tonight, I was reminded of the incredible support those you work with can provide. Also, I was reminded how important it is to be yourself. I have never lived my truth and I’m not sure how. Perhaps it starts with telling everyone."

  • This article originally appeared on our sister site The National.