A Conservative politician who has become the first transgender MP won plaudits from across the Commons for his bravery on Wednesday.

Jamie Wallis shared a statement in the early hours of Wednesday morning, saying “it’s time” to make public his gender dysphoria diagnosis and that he has “felt this way since I was a very young child”.

His announcement was praised by Boris Johnson, who at Prime Minister’s Questions said “the House stands with you, and we will give you the support you need to live freely as yourself”. The comments were echoed by Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader.

Oliver Dowden, the Conservative Party chairman, said he was “proud” of Mr Wallis, adding: “As a Conservative family we stand together, and we will support you. I hope that your brave statement will help others.” 

Michael Fabricant, the veteran Tory MP, added that Mr Wallis – who won Bridgend in south Wales for the Tories from Labour with a 1,157 majority in 2019 – “has made a very brave statement … We are all very proud of Jamie and we are all here for them”.

In his statement, Mr Wallis said: “I’m trans. Or, to be more accurate, I want to be. I’ve been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and I’ve felt this way since I was a very young child. I had no intention of ever sharing this with you. I always imagined I would leave politics well before I ever said this out loud.”