South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck announces split from her husband

The MP, who was first elected to represent the town since 2013, released a statement today saying the pair had split.

The couple had been married for nine years, during which time she faced criticism for employing him as her parliamentary assistant.

A spokeswoman for the MP said: “Emma Lewell-Buck and Simon Buck are sadly separating after nine years of marriage.

“Neither Emma nor Simon will be making any comment and request that their family’s privacy is respected at this difficult time.”

Lewell-Buck was elected to replace David Miliband, who quit frontline politics after losing the 2010 Labour Party leadership contest to his brother Ed.

Simon Buck is still thought to be employed as a part time parliamentary assistant to his wife, which records from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority putting his salary for 2018/19 at ‘between £15,000.00 and £19,999.99’.