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Wednesday, 22 February 2006, 17:37 GMT

Oaten's wife in appeal to press

Mark Oaten The wife of MP Mark Oaten has said she needs time to decide whether their 13-year marriage will survive and urged the press to behave responsibly.

The Winchester MP resigned as Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman last month after newspaper reports of an affair with a male prostitute.

The Press Association says wife Belinda has said reports they are back together have been "unhelpful and harmful".

Mr Oaten, 41, had previously been a candidate for the Lib Dem leadership.

'Extraordinary situation'

Mr Oaten has apologised for what he called "errors of judgment", saying that his wife and two children were his "priority".

But Mrs Oaten, 37, said: "This extraordinary situation I am in will take some time for me to resolve and this process is being damaged by the continued media interest."

She added: "I would ask again for some privacy to protect my family and relatives and appeal to the press to behave in a responsible manner.

"I again make it clear I will not be giving any interviews."



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Related to this story:
Oaten apologises over sex scandal (02 Feb 06 |  UK Politics )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Mark Oaten profile
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