Jared O’Mara resigns: Former Labour MP to quit seat as he is ‘not in any fit state’ to continue
Sheffield Hallam politician to step down in September after parliament’s summer recess
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jared O’Mara has announced he will resign as MP for Sheffield Hallam.
The independent MP said he will step down in September at the end of parliament’s summer recess.
The 37-year-old told the Sheffield Star: “Please let everyone be assured that I will be tendering my resignation via the official parliamentary process as soon as term restarts.
“I am not in any fit state to continue and nor would that be appropriate if I was.”
Mr O’Mara, who resigned from Labour last year, apologised to his constituents, the people of Sheffield and the UK as a whole.
Earlier this week, the politician announced he would be taking time out from his duties to deal with his “mental health and personal issues regarding self-medication”.
The announcement came after Gareth Arnold, his chief of staff, resigned in a series of tweets published on Mr O’Mara’s Twitter account.
On Saturday, Mr Arnold said Mr O’Mara had asked him to stay on until a new MP takes the Sheffield Hallam seat.
Mr Arnold said: “From 3 September, he’ll be resigning, triggering a by-election.”
He added: “He’s going, there will be a by-election and a new MP before the end of the year.”
Mr O’Mara’s announcement that he will resign as MP comes after allegations that he sexually harassed a former employee.
However Mr Arnold said he had already made the decision to resign.
Mr O’Mara took the Sheffield Hallam seat for Labour from former deputy prime minister and former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg in 2017.
He had the whip withdrawn after apparently sexist and homophobic comments emerged, which he had posted on social media years earlier, but was readmitted to the party after receiving a formal warning.
Mr O’Mara resigned from Labour in 2018, saying he had been “made unfairly to feel like a criminal”, and now sits as an independent.
The Independent has approached Mr O’Mara for comment.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments