Before being elected, I often represented victims of child sexual abuse and rape in court in my role as a barrister. I know that the system too often fails vulnerable children and victims. I know that because I saw it in my work trying to protect children over the best part of a decade. It’s one of the reasons I stood for Parliament.

In 2022, the Jay Inquiry into child sexual abuse concluded. This inquiry took 7 years. It cost £200 million. It considered (literally) millions of pieces of evidence and heard from hundreds of victims.

The report made 20 recommendations. The last government did not take any action to implement any of these recommendations. Nothing happened.

My view is that the absolute priority for this government should be the implementation of those recommendations. I’ll spend my time in Parliament urging them to do so, and calling them out if they do not.

There are legitimate arguments for a further inquiry. They have weight – and the option must be kept under review. But ultimately now is the time for action. Another 7 years of delay, requiring victims to give evidence once more, requiring public bodies to prepare representation, is, in my view, not the best option for justice to prevail and children to be protected.

It’s not just me who says this.

The independent chair of the review, Professor Alexis Jay, has urged politicians to get on with it – not commission yet another inquiry. Andrew Norfolk, the journalist whose work uncovered the grooming scandal here in Rotherham, has also made clear that another inquiry is not the answer at this point.

In Rotherham, we have had important inquiries into these heinous crimes, and the recommendations have been implemented, and improvements seen.

But we do not rest on our laurels. We must all stay aware and alert, and hold public bodies to account. Those guilty of these horrendous crimes must be punished.

And the irony is the bill before Parliament put in place the strongest set of child protection measures in a generation. The Tories voted to stop that. Why? Political games.

This is an important issue. I’m a Father. I’ve worked with victims of child abuse. I take these issues seriously.

As ever, if you want to get in touch with me to discuss this issue, please do email.