Abuse campaigner’s protest over Kezia Dugdale’s jungle jaunt

An abuse survivor has pledged to camp outside the Scottish Parliament for as long as Kezia Dugdale remains in the Australian jungle.

Dave Sharp, who was repeatedly beaten and raped when he was a pupil at Falkland House School in Fife, launched his one-man vigil yesterday as the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry restarted.

Mr Sharp was critical of Ms Dugdale, who is currently taking part in ITV reality show I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in Australia.

“She has ignored many e-mails I have sent her and many other politicians so for the duration of the time she is taking part in a demeaning reality show in Australia for a handsome fee, I will be mounting a vigil outside Holyrood,” he said.

“I am doing this to show the commitment of survivors to their cause and also to remind all MSPs that helping survivors and working for greater child protection is one of the most important issues facing this country, not eating bugs with reality TV and soap stars.”

Mr Sharp, was the first person in Scotland to win compensation from the notorious Christian Brothers after a 40-year fight for justice.

He said: “Given the lack of help from Scottish politicians I am particularly disappointed with Kezia Dugale who gave me an undertaking earlier this year that she had been doing everything she could and she would continue to push the Scottish Government to help more survivors to come forward.”

A spokesperson for Ms Dugdale said the former Scottish Labour Party leader fully supported the child abuse inquiry and all efforts being made to support survivors of historic abuse.

It is understood she was the only party leader to respond to Mr Sharp’s correspondence regarding a similar vigil earlier this year.

Picture: Wullie Marr. Dave Sharp has vowed to keep up his solitary vigil until Kezia Dugdale leaves the jungle.