He refused to take part in a group photo in front of 10 Downing Street

Fear of open areas afflicts Britain's chief treasurer

Group photo of Treasury staff, but without Clark.

From the source

Britain's chief treasurer, Simon Clarke, refused to take part in the traditional pre-budget photo shoot, which brings cabinet staff together with Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak.

Clark justified this by saying that he suffers from agoraphobia.

He said the condition "makes me uncomfortable in some open spaces."

Clarke did not appear with his colleagues in the photo that was taken in the front yard at 10 Downing Street, but he sent a photo of him with the minister from inside the offices of 10 Downing Street, and attached with it a tweet explaining the reason for his absence.

Agoraphobia is the fear of being in places where escape might be difficult, or help might not be available if things go wrong, according to NHS sources.

Such fear may result from being outdoors, traveling on public transportation, visiting certain places or leaving home.

“Really looking forward to explaining the budget and reviewing the agreement along with the Secretary,” Clark tweeted.

I won't be out taking pictures in Downing Street because I have agoraphobia, which keeps me from feeling comfortable, but I will be busy in Parliament and in the country in the coming days."

"Today it's all about a major moment for the UK, and we have an important story to tell about investment in our public services and infrastructure, economic recovery, rising incomes, and these are the issues I am proud to discuss today," he tweeted.

Clarke, a former local government minister, resigned in 2020 citing personal reasons he understood to be related to his family life.

Prior to that position, the Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland was Treasury Secretary.

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