Debbie pushes for ban on child sex offenders serving as councillors

Debbie Abrahams MP

Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, is pushing the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that people who have been convicted of a child sex offence cannot serve on a local authority or parish council.

In light of the conviction of Saddleworth Parish Councillor, Mike Buckley, for downloading indecent images of boys, Debbie has submitted two written questions in Parliament to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The issue hinges on the fact that councils cannot disqualify councillors convicted of child sex offences whose punishment is lower than a three month suspended or custodial sentence.

The response from Marcus Jones, Minister for the Department for Communities and Local Government, indicated that the Government intends to launch a consultation, ‘as soon as practicable’, this year which will look at ‘proposals for change to bring the legislative rules into line with modern sentencing guidelines’.

Commenting on the Government’s initial responses to her questions, Debbie said: “Whilst I find the response encouraging I will be pushing for a swift process and I will be writing to the Minister for the Department for Communities and Local Government to request a meeting with myself and a local delegation.”

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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