Married Tory minister quits government post to save his lover’s job

A MARRIED MP quit his government post to save his lover’s job.

Simon Clarke is divorcing after falling for a close Westminster colleague.

Chief Whip Mark Spencer told him he must quit if his lover is to stay.

The 6ft 7in Tory nicknamed Stilts stepped down as minister for regional growth and local government “for personal reasons”.

But the MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland is “head over heels in lust”.

His teary wife Hannah looked devastated outside their Teesside home yesterday.

She and Mr Clarke, 35, have a young son together.

Hannah, 34, has supported her hubby at events posing arm in arm.

But biting her lip and fighting tears, she yesterday told The Sun: “No comment.”

A source said: “Simon began a romance with a woman in ­politics he was working closely with.

“He was spending a lot of time in London away from his family and a bond was forged.”

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