Labour MP denies saying PM doesn't prioritise child abuse because she's not a mother
Sarah Champion is refuting claims she highlighted Theresa May's childlessness in a magazine interview.
Friday 16 February 2018 13:06, UK
A Labour MP has denied suggesting Theresa May doesn't see tackling child abuse as a priority because she is not a mother.
Sarah Champion used an interview with The House magazine to claim the issue "dropped off the radar" once Mrs May entered 10 Downing Street.
The Rotherham MP has been a prominent campaigner on child sexual exploitation following a high-profile scandal in her own constituency.
Comparing the Prime Minister's approach with Mrs May's predecessor, Ms Champion said: "I do not feel with this Government that (tackling child sexual abuse) is a priority at all.
"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.
"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."
However, Ms Champion was forced to deny she had been referring to Mrs May's childlessness, after her remarks sparked condemnation from Tory MPs.
Conservative Party vice-chair Helen Grant accused the Labour politician of an "outrageous slur" and demanded an apology.
"From tackling the scourge of female genital mutilation to modern slavery and domestic violence, the Prime Minister has been at the forefront of driving efforts to crack down on abuse in all its forms," she told The Sun newspaper.
"Sarah Champion must apologise immediately and unreservedly for these disgraceful comments."
During the Tory leadership contest in 2016, Mrs May's challenger Andrea Leadsom dropped out of the race after being accused of suggesting that having children made her a better choice to be prime minister.
Mrs May has previously said she and her husband Philip's inability to have children has "been very sad".
Ms Champion hit back at "absolute rubbish and lies" on Twitter, posting: "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."
In a further message, sent directly to Mrs Grant, the Labour MP added: "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."
Sky News has contacted Mrs Grant to ask if she will be replying to Ms Champion.
Elsewhere in her interview with The House magazine, Ms Champion claimed there is "no way" that sitting MPs are not involved in child abuse.
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.
"That might be inappropriate language or 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."