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Banbury MP says child sexual exploitation amendment was cynical
09/01/2025
None of Oxfordshire’s MPs cast a vote on Wednesday evening
Conservative moves to set up a national inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation on Wednesday have been described as “cynical” by Banbury’s MP Sean Woodcock.
Mr Woodcock was not in parliament when the vote took place as he was attending a meeting in Hook Norton, but says he would have voted against the amendment had he been present as it wouldn’t have achieved setting up a public inquiry.
The issue of child sexual exploitation in British towns and cities has been highlighted in recent days by the tech giant and owner of “X” Elon Musk. Following his postings the Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch tabled an amendment to the government Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This legislation aims to protect children with tougher rules around home-schooling, as well as making changes to academies. Ms Badenoch’s amendment would have derailed this, whilst also “establishing a national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focused on grooming gangs”.
Labour MPs voted down the amendment.
Afterwards Mr Woodcock told Banbury FM: “I was unable to make the vote as I was back in the constituency attending a flooding meeting in Hook Norton. The workings of the House means that even had it passed this amendment would not have set up a public enquiry.
“All it would have done would be to cause legislation that includes measures to improve child protection to be thrown out. Alongside free Breakfast Clubs in every primary school and improved standards of teaching. As such, had I attended the vote, I would have voted this cynical and useless amendment down.
“Child sexual abuse and exploitation are the most horrendous crimes and the Home Office supports police investigations and independent inquiries to get truth and justice for victims. We have supported both the national overarching inquiry into child abuse which reported in 2022, and local independent inquiries and reviews including in Telford, Rotherham and Greater Manchester.
“Labour in opposition called for and supported the national inquiry into child sexual abuse under Professor Alexis Jay which concluded in 2022. The Labour Government is now working at pace to implement the recommendations, including introducing the duty to report.
“We’ve this week announced a number of changes to prevent this sort of thing from ever happening ever again. These are things that the Conservatives failed to do throughout their time in office.
“It may be that we do need a new national inquiry in the fullness of time particularly if recommended by the victims and survivors panel. However, the priority should be action including on the recommendations of the previous enquiry which are still outstanding.”
The Conservative MP for South Northants, Sarah Bool, voted in favour of the amendment. None of the Liberal Democrat MPs representing other parts of Oxfordshire voted.
Before the vote took place the leader of the Conservatives at both Cherwell District and Oxfordshire County Councils had given the amendment his support. Eddie Reeves wrote: “This is a sensitive matter that must be treated, above all, with regard for the victims.
“In 2015, the serious case review of the Oxford sex gang led by Maggie Blyth found that as many as 373 children may have been targeted for sex in Oxfordshire over a sixteen-year period.
“To date, 22 men have been convicted of sexually assaulting minors, following investigations by Thames Valley Police through Operations Bullfinch, Silk and Spur.
“The perpetrators’ identities are a matter of public record and there is a regrettable link between their backgrounds and those of their victims.
“The Prime Minister has said that calling for a national inquiry into the sexual assault of children is a ‘far right bandwagon’. Intemperate language of this kind cannot be right, and I would urge politicians of all parties and at all levels to be sober in the language they use.
“A national inquiry is needed to form a coherent view of how we, in Oxfordshire, relate to other parts of the country and what lessons we can learn for our children’s ongoing safety and security. Kemi is right to call for one.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam