Greg - business as usual

EMBATTLED Bexhill and Battle MP Gregory Barker was given an opportunity to explain his circumstances when he attended a meeting of the constituency Conservative Party on Friday evening.

Greg and wife Celeste met around 25 of the party faithful.

The Observer understands Celeste spoke passionately about her husband and why he should remain the MP.

Mr Barker is currently weathering the storm whipped up by national newspaper allegations about a gay affair.

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In statements to the Observer, while declining to comment about his private life he has vowed that it 'business as usual' so far as his work as an MP is concerned.

Mr Barker has this week fulfilled engagements in the Constituency, attended Parliament and given his backing to environmental issues.

Constituency party chairman Cllr Brian Kentfield declined to comment on last week's party gathering with Mr Barker other than to say that it was 'a purely informal meeting.'

But somebody at the meeting called the Mail on Sunday, and a story appeared last weekend.

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The Observer understands that Greg actually asked for the meeting himself.

It was an informal, private meeting, and Celeste wanted to talk about some of the stories that had been published.

She told the meeting she was 110 percent supportive of her husband, but confirmed they have split.

An insider said: "Greg and Celeste were very honest to people, and nobody spoke out of turn, or expressed an anti-view against Greg."