British conservative politician Steve Double regrets affair with assistant

Steve Double, a British Conservative Party politician and a Member of Parliament, had expressed his regret for having "behaved inappropriately." The statement he issued came amid rumors of him having an affair with his assistant, Sarah Bunt.

"I have behaved completely inappropriately and deeply regret the pain I have caused those closest to me," MP Steve Double said in a statement, quoted on the Mirror. "Anne and I are committed to being together and seeking to move forward in our marriage. I accept I have work to do to recover the trust and respect of those around me. I would respectfully request that people give us the time and space we need at this time."

Double, 49, did not initially elaborate on the nature of his inappropriate behavior, but his wife Anne, 52, who is his full time Senior Caseworker and Diary Secretary, said in the joint statement that even though she had been deeply hurt, "I still love my husband." They have been married for almost 30 years and she is committed to making their marriage successful.

In a report by Mail Online, Double admitted to having had an affair with 26-year-old Bunt, also married, for a short period. She is said to be currently on leave from work.

"It was Sarah and it was recent. It wasn't a one-off but it was only a few weeks," the publication quotes Double as saying. "I was truly wrong and I deeply regret what I have done and the pain it has caused to those close to me. I'm working hard to rebuild that trust and respect."

In an interview with The Telegraph, the MP said he would not have hired Bunt had he known the grief it would cause, saying, "If I could only undo what happened."

Double was a former pastor and his platform during his campaign emphasized family values. Some of his contituents expressed disappointment, with one asking him to resign, and another calling his actions a disgrace.