‘Fragile’ MP Taylor Martin tried to take his own life in wake of toxic affair with Lucy Wicks, friends say

Friends of embattled MP Taylor Martin allege former federal MP Lucy Wicks sent him texts, called “in the middle of the night” and turned up to his house years after their secret relationship ended.

Taylor Martin, left, and former federal MP Lucy Wicks had a secret affair. Pictures: News Corp

NSW Liberal MP Taylor Martin will tell party investigators how former federal MP Lucy Wicks allegedly sent him texts, called “in the middle of the night” and turned up to his house years after their secret relationship had ended.

The Upper House MP will describe how he reached out to his employers at the Department of Finance, the party and police in a bid to stop Ms Wicks from contacting him.

In despair, he will say, his mental state became so fragile at the height of the saga that he attempted to take his own life.

Friends have rallied around the embattled Upper House MP whose political career is in the hands of a Senior Counsel appointed by the Liberal Party to investigate a formal complaint lodged by Ms Wicks which alleges she was the recipient of “hundreds” of abusive texts from her former lover.

Mr Martin and Ms Wicks began a secret relationship when he was a 25-year-old electorate officer in her office on the Central Coast.

Lucy Wicks and Taylor Martin in June, 2019. Picture: Supplied

It is understood the relationship with Ms Wicks, who was 43 and married at the time, lasted for about a year.

Mr Martin, who became engaged to an old school friend in April of this year, will allege that he tried to end the relationship, but that Ms Wicks continued to reach out to him, including sending him texts, calling and turning up at his house “uninvited and unwelcome”, the source said.

Taylor Martin sent a barrage of messages (in grey, mock-up) to Lucy Wicks. Picture: Supplied 

Mr Martin does not dispute the content of the text messages. Picture: Supplied

Among those texts included one allegedly referring to him potentially dating other women.

“Your choices are up to you,” the text from Ms Wicks allegedly states.

“I can’t rescue you from the consequences of your choices, or promise you that there will be no consequences.”

Ms Wicks has publicly stated that she was the recipient of “hundreds of demeaning, degrading and abusive texts” from Mr Martin over a “five year period”.

Mr Martin has not disputed the contented of the texts, which include Ms Wicks being described as a “dumb slut”, a “pig”, a “f***wit”, a “c***”, a “sicko” and a “f***ing idiot”.

Lucy Wicks and Taylor Martin in April 2019. Picture: Facebook

However, it is understood he will dispute sending “hundreds” of messages as is alleged.

Mr Martin would not comment on the matter for legal reasons, but has vowed to co-operate fully with the inquiry.

MARTIN ‘NOT IN A GOOD HEAD SPACE’

A source close to Mr Martin said the 32-year-old was “not in a good headspace”, but keen to tell his side of the story through the party process.

The Daily Telegraph put the allegation to Ms Wicks. A source close to the MP said Mr Martin needed to stop trying to “portray serious allegations as a bad break up”.

“His behaviour speaks for itself,” the source said.

Ms Wicks made a verbal complaint to the Liberal Party in February. Picture: AAP

Senior Liberals have questioned if Mr Martin can survive the scandal politically while Opposition leader Mark Speakman is under pressure to reveal exactly when he knew about the allegations and what he did.

A source close to Ms Wicks said she told some of her centre right faction colleagues in October 2021, before making a verbal complaint to the NSW Liberal Party about February.

Ms Wicks also spoke with several senior Liberals, and was advised to go to the police if she had serious concerns.

Party officials told Ms Wicks to put her complaint in writing.

On June 15, The Saturday Telegraph sent questions to Mr Speakman’s office about allegations levelled against Mr Martin, asking if he was aware; had he questioned Mr Martin and did he believe Mr Martin to be a fit and proper person to remain in parliament, and or a member of the Liberal Party.

On Friday July 21, a NSW Liberal Party spokesman confirmed the party was “aware of matters” that were the subject of “a formal complaint to the party organisation” and that it had appointed a Senior Counsel to conduct an independent investigation. Mr Speakman said on the same date that he had spoken with Mr Taylor who had “welcomed the process” and how he would excuse himself from the party room.