PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb has spoken for the first time about his “excruciating” embarrassment after he was involved in a sexting scandal earlier this year.

The Tory MP quit his role as work and pensions secretary “in the best interests of my family” after the messages were reported in The Times.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme this week, Mr Crabb said: “Questions about private life is excruciatingly embarrassing and painful – and very, very painful for the family.”

As a rising star in David Cameron’s cabinet, he was promoted to secretary for work and pensions in March.

He was “very saddened” following Mr Cameron’s resignation. “I genuinely looked up to the guy so much,” he said.

The Brexit referendum in June and resignation of the Prime Minister presented and opportunity for Mr Crabb, 43, to reach the top.

Launching his bid to become Conservative leader, Mr Crabb said he was not concerned about being an underdog: "There are different ways you can become a household name, I'm doing it the right way hopefully."

These words came back to haunt him, and his fall from grace was very sudden and very public.

He withdrew from the race to become head of the Conservative party after coming fourth in the party’s leadership contest.

This was when the sexting scandal was revealed. Mr Crabb allegedly used WhatsApp to describe a sex act he wished to perform on the woman and told her how he wanted to kiss her “everywhere”.

The married father-of-two, who stressed his family values and Christian faith, was immediately accused of hypocrisy.

He then resigned from his role as work and pensions secretary to focus on his family.

Speaking on PM, he said: “The hardest thing about being an MP is keeping family life together.

“Rebuilding happens in the home and in the context of family and that’s a private matter.”

The MP, who was “very angry” with himself, said he has enjoyed the past few months being back in Pembrokeshire and spending more time with his family.

“Forgiveness can come quickly; rebuilding trust takes much longer,” he said.

“Faith has been an important part of the last few months and reflecting on what’s happened.”

Looking to the future, Mr Crabb has no plans to return to cabinet: “In 12 months’ time, if I was invited to be part of a reshuffle I think I would probably say no.

“In two, three or four years from now, I don’t know.”