London - Tory member of parliament and Prisons Minister Crispin Blunt issued a statement on Friday publicly disclosing his homosexuality and announcing his separation from his wife.
Blunt, 50, announced the separation in a move which his office said was "to come to terms with his homosexuality."
The statement said that there was "no third party involvement" in the decision and appealed to the public to respect his family's privacy.
"The family do not wish to make any further public comment and hope that their privacy will be respected as they deal with these difficult private issues," the statement said.
Blunt has been the Conservative MP for Reigate since 1997. He and his wife Victoria were married in 1990. The couple have a son and a daughter.
He was embroiled in controversy in July when he said he would lift a ban on arts events such as comedy workshops and fancy dress parties for prisoners. The next day Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron overruled him and said no such parties would be permitted.
Full text of the statement:
"Crispin Blunt wishes to make it known that he has separated from his wife Victoria. He decided to come to terms with his homosexuality and explained the position to his family. The consequence is this separation. There is no third party involvement, but this is difficult for his immediate and wider family and he hopes for understanding and support for them. The family do not wish to make any further public comment and hope that their privacy will be respected as they deal with these difficult private issues." - Sapa-dpa