Grooming of girls and Asian gangs

Having led a vocal and strong campaign over the past four years against the crime of grooming I am heartened that CEOP have produced this report. I strongly believe that without the fantastic coverage of the Times Newspaper and with my commentary piece we may have not be where we are, I am proud that we initiated a national debate which has led to this report. My only hope is that this report is now followed up with lasting action.

The Ramadhan Foundation provided extensive evidence to CEOP and welcomes the inclusion of some parts of our evidence. Since I raised this in January 2011 and with the media coverage of recent convictions; I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received from the Asian community and their total abhorrence at these sick crimes.

Let me be clear, there are Asian gangs operating in this country who are grooming white teenagers, these gangs think that white girls are less valuable than girls from their own community which is sick and abhorrent. The Asian community have offered their revulsion at these crimes many times and we do so again today; for as long as these girls suffer I will continue to speak out whatever the cost.

I welcome the report’s finding that these crimes are not exclusively an Asian problem, CEOP’s findings that 20% of culprits are Asian, which means 80% are not Asian, this is what we have been saying all along. I ame disappointed that the media and Politicians seem to only focus on the Asian cases when we should be tackling all these criminals regardless of ethnicity or culture. It is time for politicians and commentators to address this issue with honesty and remember this is about saving young girls lives and not grabbing headlines.

There needs to be more preventive work in the community with young girls, telling them of the signs of these crimes and how to prevent getting involved, an immediate stop to the over sexualisation of children, parents and the police taking responsibility for young teenagers when they are wandering the streets at late hours. Ultimately the people responsible are the criminals who groom young girls and as we have seen already the Courts have given long sentences to criminals and long may this continue. It is just not good enough to express the revulsion to these crimes with words but as we move forward all communities will need to be channelling that anger and disgust into helping the Police.

If through this hard work and bravery I have been able to save one young life then the struggles and threats we have received over the past four years have been worth it. There should be no hiding place for these evil people and only together can we stop them.

David Davis stands for his principles, commended and saluted

I commends David Davis MP on his courageous and principled proposal to resign as the Conservative Shadow Home Secretary and a MP for his local constituency. For too long politicians have been accused of putting their own interests before their principles – today Mr. Davis has done what is right and I salute his courage and commitment to defending civil liberties in this country.

The Government failed to provide any evidence to suggest the needs for an increase of pre charge detention, the Labour MPs that changed their votes and voted for Gordon Brown should hang their head in shame. Rights that have taken hundreds of years to be enshrined in British law should not be given up on the basis of shoring up a failed premiership of a lame duck Prime Minister.

David Davis’s principled defence of Civil Liberties and the rule of law is an inspiration for the nation, we look forward to a debate based on the issues and evidence and not jumped up proposals for political benefits. The Government should not play politics with people’s lives.

I commend and salute David Davis MP for his courage and determination to defend civil liberties, for too long politicians have been accused of putting their own interests before their principles – today David Davis has stood up for his principles and he stands taller today amongst his peers in the House of Commons.

Those Labour MPs that changed their minds and supported the Government to protect the Prime Minister should hang their hands in shame; they should have followed their conscience and should have voted for liberties and justice.

This authoritarian Government has spent a decade curtailing freedom and civil liberties and the time has come for the nation to say enough is enough.”