This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/16/child-sexual-abuse-mps-sarah-champion-cameron-may

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MPs will have been involved in child sexual abuse, says Champion MPs will have been involved in child sexual abuse, says Champion
(about 1 hour later)
Labour MP causes row with Tories by saying Cameron took issue more seriously than MayLabour MP causes row with Tories by saying Cameron took issue more seriously than May
Jessica Elgot Political correspondentJessica Elgot Political correspondent
Fri 16 Feb 2018 11.23 GMTFri 16 Feb 2018 11.23 GMT
Last modified on Fri 16 Feb 2018 11.52 GMT Last modified on Fri 16 Feb 2018 13.16 GMT
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
View more sharing optionsView more sharing options
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
CloseClose
Sitting MPs or members of their families will have been involved in child sexual exploitation, the former Labour frontbencher Sarah Champion has said. A Labour MP has angrily denied suggesting David Cameron took the issue of child exploitation more seriously than Theresa May because he is a father.
The MP for Rotherham, who has campaigned on child abuse since the 2011 grooming scandal in her constituency, said she believed tackling the issue had been taken more seriously by David Cameron than Theresa May, because he had “crusaded as a dad”. Sarah Champion said in an interview that she was concerned May had allowed the issue to fall off the agenda since she became prime minister, having been committed to it as home secretary. Champion has campaigned on child abuse since the 2011 grooming scandal in her Rotherham constituency.
On Friday, after her interview with The House magazine was published, Champion angrily hit back at claims that she had suggested Cameron was better on the issue than May because he was a parent. The prime minister does not have children. “David Cameron got it and I think he got it because I went to him as a dad, rather than going to him as a politician,” she told The House magazine.
“And I got him to meet some of the survivors of Rotherham and one of the mums whose child went through it. So we engaged with him on that level, which is why he then crusaded as a dad, wanting it for other people’s children.
“Theresa May was great when she was home secretary and then as soon as she shifted to PM, it’s dropped off the radar. It’s clearly not a priority for them. It’s someone else’s problem.”
On Friday, after her interview was published, Champion angrily hit back at claims that she had suggested Cameron was better on the issue than May because he was a parent. The prime minister does not have children.
For the record, I have not - and would not - say anything about Theresa May’s ability as a politician based on where or not she is a mother. Absolute rubbish and liesFor the record, I have not - and would not - say anything about Theresa May’s ability as a politician based on where or not she is a mother. Absolute rubbish and lies
May set up an independent inquiry into child sexual abuse when she was home secretary, following allegations that politicians had participated in a paedophile ring during the 1970s and 80s.May set up an independent inquiry into child sexual abuse when she was home secretary, following allegations that politicians had participated in a paedophile ring during the 1970s and 80s.
Champion said she did not know whether politicians would handle the issue any better today and said it was statistically likely that at least one MP or their immediate family had been involved in child sexual exploitation.Champion said she did not know whether politicians would handle the issue any better today and said it was statistically likely that at least one MP or their immediate family had been involved in child sexual exploitation.
“One in 20 children will have a sexual assault against them. When you look at something inappropriate happening to them, that drops dramatically to one in four girls and one in eight boys,” she said.“One in 20 children will have a sexual assault against them. When you look at something inappropriate happening to them, that drops dramatically to one in four girls and one in eight boys,” she said.
“That might be inappropriate language or [they were] made to feel uncomfortable or in a compromising situation, not necessarily being physically groped.“That might be inappropriate language or [they were] made to feel uncomfortable or in a compromising situation, not necessarily being physically groped.
“So there is no way that there aren’t people who are sitting MPs who aren’t involved in some way or another, or a member of their family is. I mean, that’s just the reality and I know that’s very uncomfortable and no one wants to think about it.” “So there is no way that there aren’t people who are sitting MPs who aren’t involved in some way or another, or a member of their family is. I mean, that’s just the reality, and I know that’s very uncomfortable and no one wants to think about it.”
Champion resigned as shadow equalities minister last year after writing a controversial column in the Sun on Asian men and child grooming gangs, which she initially claimed had been edited without her consent, but was later found to have been approved.Champion resigned as shadow equalities minister last year after writing a controversial column in the Sun on Asian men and child grooming gangs, which she initially claimed had been edited without her consent, but was later found to have been approved.
The MP said she was concerned that May had allowed the issue to fall off the agenda since she became prime minister, having been committed to it as home secretary. Conservative MPs attacked Champion’s comments, which the MP said had been misinterpreted. Helen Grant, the party’s vice-chairwoman, called them “an outrageous slur” on the prime minister.
“David Cameron got it and I think he got it because I went to him as a dad rather than going to him as a politician,” she said.
“And I got him to meet some of the survivors of Rotherham and one of the mums whose child went through it. So we engaged with him on that level, which is why he then crusaded as a dad, wanting it for other people’s children.
“Theresa May was great when she was home secretary and then as soon as she shifted to PM, it’s dropped off the radar. It’s clearly not a priority for them. It’s someone else’s problem.”
Conservative MPs lined up to attack Champion’s comments, which the MP said had been misinterpreted. Helen Grant, the party’s vice-chairwoman, called them “an outrageous slur” on the prime minister.
“From tackling the scourge of female genital mutilation to modern slavery and domestic violence, the PM has been at the forefront of driving efforts to crack down on abuse in all its forms,” she said.“From tackling the scourge of female genital mutilation to modern slavery and domestic violence, the PM has been at the forefront of driving efforts to crack down on abuse in all its forms,” she said.
The Tory MP Mark Garnier told the Sun her comments were “a low blow … I don’t think you need to be a mother to know that child abuse is a bad thing”.The Tory MP Mark Garnier told the Sun her comments were “a low blow … I don’t think you need to be a mother to know that child abuse is a bad thing”.
Champion tweeted Grant on Friday saying she had not been attributing the prime minister’s lack of action to her not having children.Champion tweeted Grant on Friday saying she had not been attributing the prime minister’s lack of action to her not having children.
.@HelenGrantMP my statement praised May for the work she did as Home Secretary on child abuse but I said it has dropped as a priority since she became PM. You were clearly told I had said something else & i’m sorry that happened - you know me better..@HelenGrantMP my statement praised May for the work she did as Home Secretary on child abuse but I said it has dropped as a priority since she became PM. You were clearly told I had said something else & i’m sorry that happened - you know me better.
Child protectionChild protection
UK child abuse inquiryUK child abuse inquiry
ChildrenChildren
House of CommonsHouse of Commons
LabourLabour
ConservativesConservatives
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content