Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds is facing accusations of sending "inappropriate" messages to a female Labour MP. The MP reported Mr. Thomas-Symonds to the Cabinet Office's propriety and ethics team for repeatedly sending her WhatsApp messages concerning a nail bar in his Torfaen constituency and advising her to use its services.
Sources close to Mr. Thomas-Symonds described the exchanges as light-hearted, with the minister allegedly pointing out that the nail bar was called 'NTS,' his initials at Westminster, and suggesting she "get your nails done there." He also reportedly made a comment about having "something to do if all goes wrong" in reference to Labour politics.
However, the woman MP, who has requested anonymity, reportedly considered the messages inappropriate. Her complaints were escalated to Sir Laurie Magnus, the Government's Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. The Mail on Sunday reported that she claimed the minister had been warned about his behavior and that she was asked by Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to submit her messages due to previous issues with Mr. Thomas-Symonds's conduct.
Sources close to Mr. Thomas-Symonds maintained that there was no formal investigation, only a "fact-finding" exercise, and that the messages were misinterpreted between friends. The Cabinet Office issued a statement indicating that the Propriety and Ethics Team investigated an exchange of messages with a single individual and found "no evidence of improper behaviour," leading to no further action.
Contrary to the Cabinet Office statement, the woman MP reportedly disputed the findings and expressed concern that her identity became known despite her request for anonymity.