Ministers blast Tory MP for blocking law on child FGM
MINISterS yesterday criticised a tory MP who blocked legislation protecting girls from genital mutilation as pressure grew on him to be deselected. Sir Christopher Chope sparked fury after he shouted ‘object’ to prevent the progress of the Bill allowing courts to issue protection orders if they think a child is at risk.
the MP has previously come under fire for opposing Bills such as one to ban ‘ upskirting’ – the taking of non-consensual photographs underneath women’s skirts – and another that would have pardoned codebreaker Alan turing who was arrested for homosexual acts and chemically castrated. Yesterday a senior minister accused him and others of being ‘zealots’ who talk ‘ b*****s’ and will force the party to retreat into opposithat tion after the next election. energy minister Claire Perry made the comments in a WhatsApp group of female tory MPs on friday. In messages leaked to Buzzfeed News she said Sir Christopher and his veteran Brexiteer colleagues Peter Bone and Bernard Jenkin ‘don’t give a toss’, adding: ‘they are not politicians, they are zealots for whom winning an argument beats winning an election’.
treasury Secretary Liz truss joined the chorus of criticism, telling Sky News’s Sophy ridge on Sunday: ‘this is an action that harms girls’ lives. this is happening in our country in the 21st century. I find appalling. We need to do much, much more to stop it.
‘And when I see one of my colleagues opposing a measure that could have saved girls’ lives, could have saved girls from that horrendous experience, I am absolutely appalled by that.’
Miss truss added she would be ‘speaking to’ Sir Christopher. Communities Secretary James Brokenshire told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: ‘I think it’s really shocking on such a serious issue. female genital mutilation is something we’ve got to confront... It’s hugely disappointing that this Bill was not allowed to proceed. that’s why we are now looking urgently to get Government time for legislation to make this happen.’
Asked whether he was proud to call the MP a colleague, Mr Brokenshire said: ‘I’m just hugely disappointed.’
Nimco Ali, co-founder of the anti-fGM charity Daughters of eve, told the Observer Sir Christopher should be ousted and have the whip removed in the meantime. She said: ‘Senior Cabinet ministers are saying what he’s done is completely unacceptable.
‘He should have the whip removed and be deselected and if they [the Conservatives] have a vote of no confidence over him, then I’d be more than happy to speak.’ friday marked the second time Sir Christopher, 71, has acted against the law on female genital mutilation.
the latest Bill, which has previously cleared the House of Lords, would see courts make interim care orders under the Children Act 1989.
the Christchurch MP is notorious for objecting to Bills being rubber-stamped on friday sessions, arguing they should be subject to detailed scrutiny. He has said that even if he backs the intent of such Bills, he objects because he does not support the procedural principle of legislation being passed without debate at second reading.
Sir Christopher has blocked plans to let Parliament be used for a conference of female parliamentarians from across the world, while his objection to the Bill banning ‘upskirting’ led to knickers being strung outside his office.
‘Completely unacceptable’