Stephen Doughty: MP sorry for asking constituent for diazepam

Stephen Doughty is Labour's shadow foreign affairs and international development minister

A Labour MP has apologised "unreservedly for any error he made" by asking a constituent for prescription-only anxiety drugs.

Byron Long claimed to the Mail on Sunday he gave his MP Stephen Doughty up to 140 diazepam pills during up to 20 meetings at a Cardiff coffee shop.

Mr Doughty's spokesman categorically denied the paper's report.

But he said the MP did ask his "friend" Mr Long for "a few spare diazepam" once in 2019, to take ahead of a flight.

The spokesman added: "To the best of his recollection, at the time he was panicking, had been unable to get to a GP for an appointment, and as a friend who he regularly shared confidential personal mental health worries and anxieties with, asked Byron if he had a few spare diazepam, which he had previously been prescribed for such circumstances, and taken without any issues.

"Stephen apologises unreservedly for any error he made in making this request, which was to a friend who he had shared many highly personal, trusted and mutually supportive conversations with about mental health over many years.

"In the event Stephen subsequently cancelled his trip - and did not need medication."

Possession of diazepam, which is a Class C drug without a prescription, carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.

It is available on prescription only and is used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms and fits.

The Mail on Sunday printed what it said was an exchange of messages between Mr Long and Mr Doughty, who is MP for Cardiff South and Penarth and Labour's shadow foreign affairs and international development minister.

In the alleged exchange, Mr Doughty invited Mr Long to his home to meet his new cat, adding: "PS do you have any spare diazepam by any chance? I haven't been able to get to GP and need some for flying next week! X."

Earlier on Sunday, when asked about the allegations, Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "Well, I haven't seen the article myself but I understand that Mr Doughty has provided a full explanation.

"He refutes many of the allegations that are made in that article and he explains part of why one aspect of it has some grounding is the truth, so I think it's fair that he has that opportunity to set that record straight."

Mr Doughty's spokesman added: "Stephen has spoken openly about his own struggles about mental health. He is sad to have to reveal personal medical information in these circumstances - but feels that others talking about their mental health experiences can help destigmatise the challenges so many people go through.

"He has been prescribed medication over the last 12 years on a number of occasions, including diazepam, to deal with panic attacks and anxiety disorder, alongside talking therapies."