Sports Minister Tracey Crouch quit after ‘months of private agony’ over the suicide of a teenage gambling addict
TRACEY Crouch quit as Sports Minister after months of private agony over the suicide of a teenage gambling addict, pals have revealed.
She was haunted by a meeting with the lad’s mother who blamed his spiralling debts.
The top Tory promised curbs on high-stakes betting machines — but then felt she had let down the mum when Chancellor Philip Hammond delayed the changes.
Ms Crouch told colleagues: “This woman was holding my hand and pouring her heart out. I looked her in the eye and told her I would change things.”
She walked after plans to cut the £100 maximum stake on the controversial fixed odds terminals to £2 was put back from April until next October in the Budget.
Mr Hammond said acting sooner would cost the Treasury £60million in taxes. But Ms Crouch warned problem gamblers would pay with their lives.
The secret torment behind her resignation was revealed by some of the 35 MPs who have backed her courageous stand.
One said: “Tracey had thrown a lot of time and energy into tackling gambling addiction.
“The image of this poor woman was clearly seared in Tracey’s memory and made her more determined than ever to do something about it.
“She says she assured the woman she would change things.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost - to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet, it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun has launched the You're Not Alone campaign. To remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there's nowhere left to turn, that there is hope.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
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“That’s why she felt she had to make a stand and step down.”
It emerged that Ms Crouch believed pro-gambling MPs had gone over her head to secure the delay on curbs.
She said: “Two people will tragically take their lives every day due to gambling related problems.”
WHERE TO GET HELP
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
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