 |
 |
|
By Rex Wockner
Conservative Euro MP Tom Spencer, who represents Surrey, England, was fined $908 on the spot and released. He was later suspended by Tory leaders and announced he would not seek re-election. Spencer, 50, has been married for 19 years and has three children. He told reporters his wife knew he was gay and that they have an open relationship.
The biggest surprise of the affair, however, is that Spencer's boyfriend is none other than American gay-porn star Cole Tucker, 45, of whom Spencer says: "I have to admit I'm in love with him. ... We met in America last year when I was on holiday with my children. I have been back to see him in America on numerous occasions. He's lovely, warm and I am very fond of him. He's not into drugs or alcohol or anything like that and I feel very upset I've dragged him into this. ... Cole and I had a lovely weekend together and the videos he gave me were a present. It's ironic that is how this all developed." Tucker, who lives in Boston and is openly HIV-positive, told reporters: "Tom Spencer is a very fine man. There is nothing seedy about our relationship. The sexual side only developed after our first meeting. I find him very good company and was not aware at first he was a Euro MP. He made it clear from the word go that he was a family man and his wife and children come first. I have never met his family but it is clear he is very fond of them. "I have been HIV for a long time," Tucker added, in another interview, "But I don't have full-blown AIDS. I told Tom about my condition -- but I don't know if he told his wife. Nothing has happened that could affect Tom. I practice safe sex." In a statement posted on his Web site, Tucker elaborated: "Mr. Tom Spencer is a wonderful, brilliant and loving man. When we first met, I approached him. This was not an escort or business situation. This was private and personal for both of us. I am so sorry that he and his family have to go through this. "I never saw him use or abuse illegal substances in my presence. I am a sober and drug free man and have been so for 17 years. I parted his company many days before the customs thing happened. I do not keep company with drug and alcohol abusers or addicts and Mr. Spencer is neither of those. "I am in excellent health, though I have been HIV-positive for a number of years. I have not been diagnosed with AIDS. All sexual activities were safe in our practices. "It was purely a vacation for both of us and it was not seedy or torrid. We have known each other for 8 months and were developing a strong and sound friendship. He was always honest and open about his marriage and family and that they came first. We never discussed his politics or his work other than his passion about global warming. I respected his need and desire for discretion and we both carried ourselves in that manner while we were together. His wife and family have been the real forces of strength and dignity in these hard times. "The British tabloids have been very brutal and have exaggerated the headlines to sell papers. This seems to be the way of tabloid journalism. We will all get beyond this a little wiser," Tucker concluded. |
