The MP for Sheffield Hallam said earlier this week he would take time off to deal with his “mental health and personal issues regarding self-medication”, days after his Twitter account was hijacked by his former press secretary, Gareth Arnold. Mr Arnold called his former boss a “selfish, degenerate p***k” on the shamed MP’s social media account before he also resigned. Mr Arnold announced today Mr O’Mara would step down on September 3.
He said: “’From September 3, he’ll be resigning, triggering a by-election.
“He’s going, there will be a by-election and a new MP before the end of the year.
The Times reported vile comments made to Jennifer Barnes, 20, as part of a lengthy sexual harassment campaign by the 37-year-old former MP for Jeremy Corbyn’s party.
One read: “I’ll have to nickname myself ‘Thrush’ because I irritate c***s.”
Ms Barnes, who left her role on his team, said she “never gave him any indication I was interested in him”.
Mr O’Mara said: “Let everyone be assured that I will be tendering my resignation via the official parliamentary procedure as soon as term restarts.
“I reiterate my apology to my constituents, the people of Sheffield and the people of the UK as whole.”
He issued a test message last Saturday that read: “I’m not well and am in the process receiving medical help
“I am not in any fit state to continue and nor would that be appropriate if I was.”
Mr O’Mara told the Times his comments to Ms Barnes were “never sexual” and were merely jokes.
Mr O’Mara was elected as a Labour MP but now sits as an Independent after quitting Labour due to the alleged posting of misogynistic and homophobic comments online.
A Labour Party spokesman said the party is concerned for his welfare.
A spokesman said: “We take the welfare of our MPs very seriously and, while Jared is no longer a Labour MP, we are concerned for his welfare and we have continued to provide support to him, and will continue to do so.”
Mr O’Mara also wrote to a potential Liberal Democrat candidate for his seat, Laura Gordon 35, and told her she had “repressed sexual feelings” for him. He signed the message off with “Thrush”.
In his resignation on Mr O’Mara’s Twitter account, Mr Arnold said: “Jared, you are the most disgustingly morally bankrupt person I have ever had the displeasure of working with.
“You do not care about your constituents. You do not care about anyone but yourself. I cannot and will not defend you and your vile, inexcusable contempt for the people who voted you in. You selfish, degenerate p***k.
“My fear is that now (as I quit) the rest of the staff will leave and once again you will close your office and stop helping anyone but still take your wages until you have the decency to call a by-election.
Leaving constituents desperate for representation again. No matter if they are having their homes taken away, their liberties disgraced or being deported because of your inaction.”
He added: “Sheffield Hallam deserves so much better than you. You have wasted opportunities which people dare not to even dream of.”
He added: “Consider this my resignation. Thanks Gareth Arnold.”
