Labour's Jared O'Mara reveals he attempted suicide after suspension over sexist slurs
2 min read
Labour MP Jared O'Mara has revealed he tried to kill himself on three occasions after a string of misogynistic and homophobic comments he made online in his 20s resurfaced.
The Sheffield Hallam MP - who unseated ex-Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg last year - was readmitted to the party earlier this month after the controversial remarks were investigated.
They included a series of posts on a music review website, where he referred to female fans as "sexy little slags", and a claim - denied by Mr O'Mara - that he called a barmaid an "ugly bitch" just months before the election.
The MP, who has yet to make his maiden speech in the Commons, has since revealed that the experience led him to develop an anxiety disorder.
In an interview with ITV, he said: "I will not mince my words, I have made three attempts on my life. I was harassed and hounded by the press, I was scared to go home. I was just a mess, I was shaking, I was crying and that lasted for weeks.
"I have a lot of apologising to do and I will continue in that vein but I believe when somebody makes mistakes and they ask for an apology that there has got to be a stage where they try and forgive them - that's what I'm asking for from my constituents, from the country - I'm asking for forgiveness.
"I want people to be open about issues around mental health and not be ashamed about it and to talk to people. The best thing that I've done this past year is learn to talk to my mum. I love my mum...
"It's really changed me because I can be myself now finally."
His latest revelation comes just days after Labour issued a statement on his behalf, in which the MP said he was "pleased that this matter is now resolved" and urged colleagues to give him "a second chance".
Mr O'Mara was readmitted to Labour after the disputes panel on the party's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) found that his case did not meet the threshold required to be referred for expulsion.
Instead, they ordered the MP to undergo mandatory training.
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