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| Labour defends ad claiming Sunak doesn’t think child sexual abusers should be jailed | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Shadow minister stands by ‘skit’ after party’s law and order ad condemned as ‘vile and desperate’ | Shadow minister stands by ‘skit’ after party’s law and order ad condemned as ‘vile and desperate’ |
| A shadow cabinet minister has called a Labour attack advert part of the “cut and thrust” of political debate, after criticism of its claim that Rishi Sunak does not think child sexual abusers should go to jail. | |
| Despite some figures in the party calling for the ad to be withdrawn, the shadow culture secretary, Lucy Powell, said she stood by the message it was trying to send. | Despite some figures in the party calling for the ad to be withdrawn, the shadow culture secretary, Lucy Powell, said she stood by the message it was trying to send. |
| She refused to directly endorse the promotional material itself, calling it a “skit”. | She refused to directly endorse the promotional material itself, calling it a “skit”. |
| The Labour ad, which has since had a context box added to it on Twitter, makes the pitch for being “the party of law and order”. Alongside a picture of the prime minister, the ad says: “Do you think adults convicted of sexually assaulting children should go to prison? Rishi Sunak doesn’t.” | The Labour ad, which has since had a context box added to it on Twitter, makes the pitch for being “the party of law and order”. Alongside a picture of the prime minister, the ad says: “Do you think adults convicted of sexually assaulting children should go to prison? Rishi Sunak doesn’t.” |
| Labour is the party of law and order. pic.twitter.com/EP6VXToK9z | Labour is the party of law and order. pic.twitter.com/EP6VXToK9z |
| Judges and magistrates, rather than the prime minister of the day, are responsible for handing out sentences. The figures Labour highlighted also cover the period since 2010, five years before Sunak became an MP. | Judges and magistrates, rather than the prime minister of the day, are responsible for handing out sentences. The figures Labour highlighted also cover the period since 2010, five years before Sunak became an MP. |
| Conservative and Scottish National party politicians condemned what they called a “vile and desperate” campaign that “cheapened and debased” politics. | Conservative and Scottish National party politicians condemned what they called a “vile and desperate” campaign that “cheapened and debased” politics. |
| Labour figures have also expressed concern. The former shadow chancellor John McDonnell urged his party to climb down, saying: “This is not the sort of politics a Labour party, confident of its own values and preparing to govern, should be engaged in. | Labour figures have also expressed concern. The former shadow chancellor John McDonnell urged his party to climb down, saying: “This is not the sort of politics a Labour party, confident of its own values and preparing to govern, should be engaged in. |
| “I say to the people who have taken the decision to publish this ad, please withdraw it. We, the Labour party, are better than this.” | “I say to the people who have taken the decision to publish this ad, please withdraw it. We, the Labour party, are better than this.” |
| Asked whether she endorsed the graphic, Powell told BBC Breakfast: “What I stand by is what that graphic is trying to show, which is that the prime minister of our country is responsible for the criminal justice system of our country and currently that criminal justice system is not working.” | Asked whether she endorsed the graphic, Powell told BBC Breakfast: “What I stand by is what that graphic is trying to show, which is that the prime minister of our country is responsible for the criminal justice system of our country and currently that criminal justice system is not working.” |
| Pressed on the same question for a second time, she said: “I stand by what this tweet and this campaign is trying to highlight.” | Pressed on the same question for a second time, she said: “I stand by what this tweet and this campaign is trying to highlight.” |
| Powell added the graphic was obviously “a skit” based on Sunak’s “own graphics that he extensively uses”. | Powell added the graphic was obviously “a skit” based on Sunak’s “own graphics that he extensively uses”. |
| She admitted she could see “it’s not to everybody’s taste”, but countered: “That is the cut and thrust nature of politics. I didn’t design the graphic, it’s not my graphic.” | She admitted she could see “it’s not to everybody’s taste”, but countered: “That is the cut and thrust nature of politics. I didn’t design the graphic, it’s not my graphic.” |
| The Twitter post, which highlights Labour analysis of Ministry of Justice data, said: “Under the Tories, 4,500 adults convicted of sexually assaulting children under 16 served no prison time. Labour will lock up dangerous child abusers.” | The Twitter post, which highlights Labour analysis of Ministry of Justice data, said: “Under the Tories, 4,500 adults convicted of sexually assaulting children under 16 served no prison time. Labour will lock up dangerous child abusers.” |
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| Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, was urged to order the withdrawal of the ad and apologise by Compassion in Politics, a campaign group working to “clean up” public debate in Britain. | |
| The group’s co-director, Jennifer Nadel, told Sky News: “This kind of political discourse poisons the water that we all must drink from. It drives up hate and drags down standards.” | The group’s co-director, Jennifer Nadel, told Sky News: “This kind of political discourse poisons the water that we all must drink from. It drives up hate and drags down standards.” |
| Law and order is a key political battleground as both main parties compete for votes ahead of May’s local elections. | Law and order is a key political battleground as both main parties compete for votes ahead of May’s local elections. |
| A Conservative source said: “Labour HQ have highlighted Sir Keir’s appalling record at keeping children safe. During Sir Keir’s controversial tenure as director of public prosecutions, less than 30% of child pornographers saw the inside of a prison cell. | A Conservative source said: “Labour HQ have highlighted Sir Keir’s appalling record at keeping children safe. During Sir Keir’s controversial tenure as director of public prosecutions, less than 30% of child pornographers saw the inside of a prison cell. |
| “It’s no wonder only 12% of his staff thought he was any good and criminals want a Labour government.” | “It’s no wonder only 12% of his staff thought he was any good and criminals want a Labour government.” |
| A Labour spokesperson said: “The Conservatives have left dangerous convicted criminals free to roam the streets. Labour is the party of law and order, and we will implement tougher sentences for dangerous criminals.” | A Labour spokesperson said: “The Conservatives have left dangerous convicted criminals free to roam the streets. Labour is the party of law and order, and we will implement tougher sentences for dangerous criminals.” |