MP Jared O'Mara taking time out 'to receive professional help' over mental health and personal issues

Jared O'Mara has announced he is taking time-out from his MP duties.
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Independent MP Jared O'Mara is taking time-out from his duties "to receive professional help to deal with my mental health and personal issues regarding self-medication".

Mr O'Mara made the announcement on Twitter days after a disgruntled former employee hijacked his feed to launch a dramatic tirade ending with an online resignation.

The 37-year-old sensationally took the Sheffield Hallam seat for Labour from former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg in 2017.

Responding to criticism about his conduct, he said: "In a few weeks, I will be making a follow-up statement regarding my position, until then I will be taking time out to receive professional help to deal with my mental health and personal issues regarding self-medication."

He said: "I would like to start by apologising to my family, my friends and my constituents. I have not been honest with you about the depths of my depression and self-loathing.

"When I started this job in 2017 I was a different man: a confident and passionate man that wanted to help others.

"Sadly, I was unable to do that because very quickly I was bullied and mistreated in a harsh and unforgiving environment and that led me to be weak."

Mr O'Mara used his statement to blame on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for how he had been treated during his time as a member of the party.

Jared O'Mara had the whip withdrawn after apparently sexist and homophobic comments emerged.
PA

Mr O'Mara had the whip withdrawn after apparently sexist and homophobic comments emerged which he had posted on social media years earlier but was readmitted to the party after receiving a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.

But, last year, Mr O'Mara resigned from Labour, saying he had been "made unfairly to feel like a criminal", and now sits as an independent.

At the time of his resignation he revealed that he had made three suicide attempts at the height of the furore and described himself as "the first autistic MP in our history".

On Thursday he said that discrimination he has suffered has led to the deterioration in his mental health to the point at which he recently "suffered a delusional episode".

He said: "I want to become a better person again; like I was.

"I feel I've become unrecognisable and I want to make amends. I need treatment for my mental health and rest first though. "

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in

MORE ABOUT