Residents rally round Fylde’s under fire MP

A number of Sunday newspapers published claims from a Brazilian male escort reportedly alleging Mr Menzies paid him for sex and asked him to buy an illegal drug.

Mr Menzies, 42, who today remained unavailable for comment about the reports, said at the weekend how a number of the allegations were “not true” and he looked forward to “setting the record straight.”

And while some in his constituency have called for him to quit as Fylde’s MP, others in Lytham and St Annes have  given him their backing.

Glenn Myserscough, who owns Room boutique, on Clifton Street, Lytham, has met Mr Menzies on several occasions.

He said: “People should back off and leave him alone because he does a good job for the people.

“He’s not high profile and he’s not forcing his opinions on people.

“I’d vote for him next time.

“He comes in my shop, he’s got a keen interest in retail and tries his best. He seems to be one of the people who actually gets what his job’s about.”

John McKenzie, 74, from South Hey, Ansdell, says Mr Menzies was “top class” in helping deal with his ill  daughter’s benefit claim two years ago.

He said: “I’ve got nothing but admiration for him.

“He’s a really likeable bloke and honest as well.

“I find it very upsetting. His private life is his private life as far as I’m concerned.

“If a guy can sort out the mess I and my daughter were in he’s good enough for me.”

Conservative Mr Menzies quit his post as a Parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to International Development Minister Alan Duncan on  Saturday evening following the newspaper revelations.

Officials within his  constituency party said he had their full support.

But Colin Brown, from St Patrick’s Road North, St Annes, believes Mr Menzies should resign his seat.

He said: “He’s got to go  because he won’t do the Tories any good.

“It’s a shame because what I saw of him he seemed  a genuine chap.”

Richard Hindle, 62, from North Promenade, St Annes, said: “He can’t carry on as he is now, he’s got to jack his job in.

“I feel sorry for the guy, but that’s the way it goes.”

Dave Hornby, 65, from Church Road, St Annes,  voted for Mr Menzies at the 2010 election, which saw him retain the Fylde seat for the Tories with a sizeable  majority of 13,000.

He said: “He seemed a nice chap at the time. If it’s true, what has been reported, he should pack up.”

Brian Clarke, 65, from Smithy Lane, Ansdell, said: “I didn’t vote for him anyway but it’s dreadful (what has been  reported). I don’t know  whether he does that much of a good job anyway.”