BIRMINGHAM MP John Hemming has revealed his hopes that his wife Christine will avoid jail for stealing a kitten from the home of his mistress.

Mr Hemming, breaking his silence on the trial, said in a statement that he did not think locking her up would “be of any benefit to anyone”.

He also dismissed his wife’s famous allegation that he had enjoyed “about 26” affairs and claimed the couple’s marriage “effectively ended” in 1997 when Christine walked out on him.

She is due to be sentenced later this month after being found guilty of burgling former Birmingham councillor Emily Cox’s home in Church Road, Moseley, in September last year.

Miss Cox is the mother of Mr Hemming’s young daughter and he also has three children from his 30-year marriage.

Speaking in detail for the first time since his wife’s trial last month, Mr Hemming admitted it had been a “challenge” maintaining two relationships.

The Yardley Liberal Democrat MP said he supported the decision to arrest his 53-year-old wife over the kitten’s disappearance but did not want her locked up.

Mr Hemming said: “My wife took Emily’s kitten in September 2010 and, having initially kept it at her home, she then put it through a fence in Sparkhill about a mile from Emily’s house.

“We have not seen the kitten since then.

“I supported referring the theft of the kitten to the police because I felt it was necessary to stop my wife from feeling she was free to trespass in Emily’s garden at will.

“I was aware there would be media attention in the story but my priority was protecting Emily and our daughter from any potential further harm.