More than 5,000 people have signed three petitions calling for shamed Andrew Griffiths to stand down as MP for Burton.

One of the petitions was set up eight months ago after Mr Griffiths heckled Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn during a debate in the House of Commons.

It has recently been attracting more signatures following the revelations that the married MP sent hundreds of sex texts to two women over a two-week period.

In his sex texts, many of which are too disgusting to print, the Conservative MP asked for the women to beat each other, and referred to himself as 'daddy', saying that he had been 'running the country'.

He also referred to the women, barmaid Imogen Treharne, 28, and her friend, who has not been named, as the t**ty twins and promised money for racy images. He also described rough sex he claimed to have had with other women.

However, Burton Mail readers have said, while the married father-of-one is in the wrong, some blame should also lie with the two women who he texted and agreed to send him nude photos and videos when he requested them.

Andrew Griffiths and Imogen Treharne

Griffiths has since stepped down from his prime Government role as minister for small businesses but has refused to quit as MP. He has also issued an apology for his actions after the revelations appeared in the Sunday Mirror.

Two petitions set up this week calling for the MP to resign by Rebecca Moran and Ben Moore have collectively attracted more than 1,000 signatures.

A third petition set up by Alex Eaton eight months ago after Mr Griffiths came under fire for heckling Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn during a debate on social care cuts, has attracted 4,000 signatures, with many more being added this week.

The MP talked about getting rough

Many people have been having their say on the shock revelations.

One person using the name 'Cynical' wrote on the Burton Mail's website: "He won't resign while his presence in Parliament is important to [Prime Minister] Theresa [May] - can you imagine her view of him? She is surviving on a knife edge right now. When there is a General Election - which may not be too far off - I doubt if he'll be able or want to stand."

Emilee also wrote: "Ok, here is a thought for the East Staffordshire Conservative Association - people have long memories. If he remains in situ and stands for the next election what an opportunity for the voting public to show their displeasure and vote with their feet. Meaning the second largest group, Labour, may slide into power locally. Think about it, Conservatives, are you willing to risk it or is it best to out him now and garner a new candidate sooner rather than later?"

Russell Harper wrote on the Burton Mail's Facebook page: "Not sure where we go from here. It’s a shame if we have to wait for the next election for so many people to show their disapproval. By then Burton and Uttoxeter will have been badly let down as it is now. Only with much more bitter feelings.

"It will be down to community leaders and us community members to try to make Burton and Uttoxeter a better place. We can help each other."

Just some of the messages sent by Andrew Griffiths which can be published

Meanwhile Roger Cookson said Mr Griffiths must not have been representing his constituents enough.

He wrote on the Facebook page: "I've no issue with what people do in their private lives; it's just nothing to do with anyone else. The issue I have is not the content of the texts but it's the number of them - 2,000 in two weeks. He must have been on the phone constantly when he should have been doing his highly rewarded job of representing his constituents.

"He has let the people down and in my opinion it's time he stood down. If he can't be trusted to do the job he should go."

Other readers believe Mr Griffiths is not the only one to blame and some say the woman involved must take some responsibility.

One person using the name 'Frustrated resident' wrote on the Burton Mail's website: "In fairness I would like to see the full transcripts not just what he typed so we can also get a true picture of her too."

Samera Tomlinson said on Facebook: "Why aren't her replies being shown? Surely she must have been 'playing' along for him to even send such texts."

Imogen Treharne described the vile messages sent to her by Burton MP Andrew Griffiths

Tracy Prescott agreed saying: "While I’m not impressed with Mr Griffiths' behaviour, I’m equally not impressed with this barmaid! What did she think she was getting into giving her number to a married man with a newborn baby? Then sending him pictures and videos for money, then suddenly she’s offended!

"I’d love to see the text from both sides for me to make a fair and proper judgment, as it’s not really fair to just see one side of the story.

"I don’t believe that if she got to a point, that she didn’t want to converse with him any more that she couldn’t have blocked him on her phone and social media.

"It’s his poor wife and baby that I feel sorry for."

Ms Treharne did stop answering his texts on July 6.

She said the messages were getting to be too degrading. She has since called for the MP apologise to her and her friend, claiming Mr Griffiths had seen them as a 'piece of meat'.