I'm a sex addict, says Scots Tory Lord

Apr 27 2008 By Norman Silvester

SCOTS Tory Lord Irvine Laidlaw has admitted he is a sex addict who hosted orgies.

Laidlaw, 64, has booked himself in for a six-week stay at a clinic in South Africa to be treated for sex addiction tomorrow.

He is a personal friend of Tory leader David Cameron and has donated £6million to the Conservative party. Laidlaw is worth £730million and is the fourth richest man in Scotland.

He admitted he was hooked on sex after claims he partied with hookers at his tax haven home in Monte Carlo.

In a statement issued last night Laidlaw said: "I have been fighting sexual addiction for my whole adult life.

"But having an addiction is no excuse for my behaviour. I have been in therapy several times but I should have been stronger in resisting temptation.

"With my wife Christine's support and encouragement I am seeking expert help, not to cure me but to prevent any relapse into unacceptable behaviour."

The peer, who has recently recovered from prostate cancer and a heart attack, has now pledged £1million to a UK addiction charity.

He has also given £25,000 to Conservative candidate Boris Johnson's campaign to become Mayor of London.

Laidlaw was made Lord Irvine of Rothiemay in 2004 on the condition he would give up his tax exile status but has not done so.

He made millions from the Institute for International Research, the world's biggest trade conference and exhibition organiser.