A LABOUR MP who made abusive comments on his blog has said he tried to kill himself three times since he was suspended from the party last year.

Jared O'Mara, who was suspended from the party for a string of remarks he made before he became an MP, has said the ordeal led him to develop an anxiety disorder and depression.

3

The Sheffield Hallam MP, who booted Nick Clegg out of his seat last year, was reinstated by the party last week - but he has to attend training.

In an interview with ITV this evening he admitted he did use to be an online "troll" and his actions were caused because he was felt weak and insecure.

He said: "I made three attempts on my life. I was harassed and hounded by the press.

"I was too scared to go home. I was a mess, I was crying. That lasted for weeks."

3

He said he wanted people to be able to be "open" about mental health issues and not feel ashamed at the stigma.

"The best thing I have done this past year is learn how to talk to my mum. I love my mum."

An emotional Mr O'Mara added: "I can be myself now, finally."

The series of abusive comments, which were uncovered last year, included rants against overweight people as well as declaring it would be amusing if jazz musician Jamie Cullum was raped and killed.

But now Mr O'Mara says he's a different person, and has apologised repeatedly for his comments.

3

In the interview Mr O'Mara also:

• Begged his constituents for forgiveness and said he is "absolutely not" going to stand down
• Insisted he would finally make his maiden speech in Parliament - over a year after he was first elected
• Said his autism shouldn't exclude him from being MP, and vowed to stand up for disabled people in Parliament

MOST READ IN POLITICS

BREXIT BETRAYAL

'Keir is LYING to you' - PM's EU deal ‘will open door’ to millions more

JOE'S SLIP?

Did Joe Biden reveal he had prostate cancer in a 2022 speech slip-up?

DON THE ATTACK

Trump 'surprised public wasn't told long ago' about Biden's prostate cancer

GAZA WARNING

PM threatens 'further action' if Israel doesn't abandon plan to take over Gaza

A woman who alleged he shouted abuse at her in a night club said she felt totally let down by the decision to let him back in the party.

She told the Sun Online last week: "He's totally gotten away with it. I want to know - where is my apology?

"I feel really let down."

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story please contact The Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK), or email jo@samaritans.org