Felicity responded to a tweeted inquiry from Julian Perreira, a digital news producer with Forces News and a former Grenadier Guard, who requested, "Just checking, but did @PinkNews just out @JohnnyMercerUK ?".  

She tweeted: "I’ve had my suspicions for a long time. My family would like to request privacy over this difficult time. It has been a shock but ultimately only wish for his happiness. Thank you."

Of course, Pink News received its wires crossed and didn't intend to out the MP for Plymouth Moor View Mercer as the most recent member of the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood. They really meant Labour MP Luke Pollard, the MP for neighbouring Plymouth Sutton and Devonport. The report in Pink News has since been corrected.

Mr Mercer, 41, minister for veterans’ affairs, has been married for 9 years and has three kids. The couple made mild of the error.

Mr Mercer himself weighed in on Twitter, responding to his spouse's put up by stating: "To be fair, if anyone was likely to push me over the edge..." His spouse, referring to Mr Mercer's service within the British Army in Afghanistan, replied: "More likely all those episodes of Glee you watched with the boys on Op Herrick."

The article in Pink News targeted on MPs arguing over reforms to the Equality Act, and claimed that Mr Mercer had "doubled down" on his help for the trans neighborhood through the debate.