Hague statement 'not easy to do' (From Gazette Series)

Hague statement 'not easy to do'

5:04pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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Foreign Secretary William Hague has said his decision to publicly deny speculation about a gay affair with an aide was "not an easy thing to do".

Revealing the frustration he felt, Mr Hague said he and his wife Ffion had "had enough" and decided to "put the record straight" about the rumours which had been circulating, particularly on internet sites.

Downing Street said Mr Hague continued to enjoy the "100% support" of Prime Minister David Cameron.

In a frank statement issued on Wednesday, Mr Hague denied having had an "improper" relationship with special adviser Christopher Myers and insisted his marriage was secure. He also revealed that his wife, Ffion, had suffered a number of miscarriages as they tried to start a family.

Mr Myers quit his post as special adviser, citing the pressure put on his family by media inquiries into the allegations.

In a press conference at the Foreign Office, Mr Hague said his former aide was "someone who is rather fed up of the political world, and who can blame him?".

Mr Myers told Sky News he "categorically denied" the allegations about an improper relationship with Mr Hague.

The Foreign Secretary insisted he had no more to add to his statement on Wednesday, but gave an insight into why he and Ffion had decided to go public.

"My wife and I really felt we had had enough of the circulation of untrue allegations, particularly on the internet, and at some point you have to speak out about that and put the record straight."

Questions about his private life dominated the joint press conference held with Mr Hague's German counterpart Guido Westerwelle. Mr Hague insisted that the work of the Foreign Office "had not missed a beat at any stage" despite the rumours circulating about him.