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Green Party 'should have queried' agent sex charges | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Green Party did not fully investigate the background of a man facing child sex charges who became an election agent, a report has found. | |
David Challenor, 50, was charged with child sex offences in November 2016 but worked for his daughter Aimee Challenor at the 2017 general election. | |
The independent investigation has recommended the party urgently reviews its safeguarding policy. | The independent investigation has recommended the party urgently reviews its safeguarding policy. |
The party said it is taking immediate action to implement necessary changes. | The party said it is taking immediate action to implement necessary changes. |
Challenor continued working for his daughter after being charged and also acted as her agent at local elections in May 2018. | Challenor continued working for his daughter after being charged and also acted as her agent at local elections in May 2018. |
In August 2018, Challenor, of Charterhouse Road, Coventry, was found guilty of 20 offences including the rape of a 10-year-old girl. | In August 2018, Challenor, of Charterhouse Road, Coventry, was found guilty of 20 offences including the rape of a 10-year-old girl. |
He held a girl captive in his attic and photographed the abuse, the court heard. | He held a girl captive in his attic and photographed the abuse, the court heard. |
The investigation report, by independent consultancy Verita, said the nature of the charges raised issues about whether other children or vulnerable adults were at risk. | The investigation report, by independent consultancy Verita, said the nature of the charges raised issues about whether other children or vulnerable adults were at risk. |
On 5 November, Ms Challenor sent a Facebook message to party communications co-ordinator Matt Hawkins and Clare Lorraine Phipps, chair of its national executive committee, referring to the charges adding "it is my understanding that the majority of them were sexual offences". | On 5 November, Ms Challenor sent a Facebook message to party communications co-ordinator Matt Hawkins and Clare Lorraine Phipps, chair of its national executive committee, referring to the charges adding "it is my understanding that the majority of them were sexual offences". |
But, it said, she did not ask them to take action, nor did she mention her father was a party member. | |
The report found that although the pair had little information, they "closed the matter off too quickly and should have followed up more". | The report found that although the pair had little information, they "closed the matter off too quickly and should have followed up more". |
It also said members it interviewed had little awareness of safeguarding issues and those who were told about the charges "saw the issue as primarily a communications one - about protecting the reputation of the party". | It also said members it interviewed had little awareness of safeguarding issues and those who were told about the charges "saw the issue as primarily a communications one - about protecting the reputation of the party". |
It added: "Clearly the reputation of the party, and therefore political considerations, are at the forefront of the people's minds. | It added: "Clearly the reputation of the party, and therefore political considerations, are at the forefront of the people's minds. |
"However, issues such as safeguarding also need to be prioritised." | "However, issues such as safeguarding also need to be prioritised." |
The report recommended the party should update its code of conduct, review safeguarding policy and speak to West Midlands Police about whether it should have drawn attention to the charges. | The report recommended the party should update its code of conduct, review safeguarding policy and speak to West Midlands Police about whether it should have drawn attention to the charges. |
But the force said it does not appear Challenor's involvement with the Green Party was ever disclosed to police. | But the force said it does not appear Challenor's involvement with the Green Party was ever disclosed to police. |
A party spokesperson said: "We deeply regret that this situation arose and we apologise unreservedly for any concerns that this will have caused and any safeguarding risks it may have given rise to." | A party spokesperson said: "We deeply regret that this situation arose and we apologise unreservedly for any concerns that this will have caused and any safeguarding risks it may have given rise to." |
Ms Challenor, 20, who had been running to become the Green's deputy leader was suspended by the party pending the investigation and later resigned, accusing the party of transphobia. | Ms Challenor, 20, who had been running to become the Green's deputy leader was suspended by the party pending the investigation and later resigned, accusing the party of transphobia. |
She said: "Thankfully there is no evidence that anyone was close to harm as a result of their contact with the Green Party. | She said: "Thankfully there is no evidence that anyone was close to harm as a result of their contact with the Green Party. |
"My thoughts continue to be with those my father caused harm." | "My thoughts continue to be with those my father caused harm." |
She said she stands by her apology for appointing her father. | She said she stands by her apology for appointing her father. |
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. | Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. |