Oaten: Mid-life crisis led to affair

Mark Oaten

Sunday, 07, May 2006 12:00

Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten has told of his "mid-life crisis" in the run-up to his affair with a male escort.

The Winchester MP, who is married with two daughters, resigned as the party's home affairs spokesman in January after admitting the affair with the 23-year-old rent boy.

In his first interview since the incident, Mr Oaten told the Sunday Times that a combination of stress at work and a mid-life crisis had led to the affair.

"I was turning 40 and I really felt that I was losing my youth," he said.

"The problem was undoubtedly compounded by my dramatic loss of hair in my late thirties. This really knocked me for six. I started to look noticeably older."

Life as home affairs spokesman gave him little time to take a break, he added. On learning about the affair, his wife Belinda threw her wedding ring at him.

"She tried to hit me several times and threw her wedding ring back at me — and who could blame her?" he said.

Mr Oaten says he has no doubt that he will always be known as a scandal MP, saying: "I don’t blame anyone but myself for the mess I’m in.

"I accept that I will always be known as a scandal MP; but, instead of living out the rest of my days in hiding, I’m determined to try to rebuild my life."