Mensch In Marital Spat Over Why She Quit

Louise Mensch has hit back at her husband over comments that she quit Parliament because she feared defeat at the next election.

The former Tory MP's husband Peter Mensch, who manages the band Metallica, claimed she resigned because she thought she would only be an MP for three more years.

The claims sparked what appeared to be a good humoured marital spat on Twitter, with Mrs Mensch describing her second husband - who she married last year - as confused.

Mrs Mensch always claimed she left her job as MP for Corby in Northamptonshire in August because she wanted to spend more time with her family in New York.

But Mr Mensch told the Sunday Times: "She thought - and I wasn't going to argue with her - that she'd get killed at the next election.

"So, to her, it seemed much more short-term than my job as a manager, which is going to go on for another 20 years.

"And listen, they hadn't promoted her yet, and it's not like she thought she had a future because perhaps she felt she was too outspoken.

"She was doing her own thing regardless and maybe wasn't 'Conservative party enough' to move up the food chain."

In response Mrs Mensch, a former chick-lit novelist, tweeted: "Can honestly say I had no fear whatsoever of defeat at next election since had already decided not to stand again.

"However: nothing, repeat nothing, influenced decision to resign other than inability to hold family life together away from him."

Her husband responded: "This is why I don't do politics. Stick to music."

All, however, seems to have been forgiven.

Mrs Mensch posted later: "Lastly; @maindepowr apologetic but not a pol, doesn't do on message & I love him for it. Thinking of creative ways he can make it up to me."

A by-election to find Mrs Mensch's replacement is due on November 15.