Business of the House

Debate between Apsana Begum and Alan Campbell

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank the right hon. Lady for raising this question, because Members who write to Ministers do so with the reasonable expectation that they will receive a timely and substantive response from a Minister, and that is absolutely right. If she has a specific example to draw to my attention, I will raise that with the appropriate Department, and I will raise the wider issue with other Departments, too.

[Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab)]

We have a profound duty to those who elect us regarding the scrutiny of legislation. This week, the other place has been debating the Crime and Policing Bill, which is wide in scope and raises several concerns of the utmost importance to our constituents. Will the Leader of the House clarify how long Members will have to properly debate and vote on Lords amendments on a new category of extreme criminal protest groups, as well as Government new clauses on so-called cumulative disruption and face coverings, which have profound equalities implications? Will he assure us that timetabling pressures before the end of this parliamentary Session will not prevent proper scrutiny and consideration of this serious and substantive Bill?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. As she notes, amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill have been considered by the House of Lords. The Government will consider them as we move forward. I will announce future business in the House in the usual way, but I am absolutely conscious of the importance of providing sufficient time for parliamentary scrutiny, wherever it falls in the parliamentary year.

Business of the House

Debate between Apsana Begum and Alan Campbell

Thursday 12th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I genuinely wish the young man well. Before we get to a debate, should the hon. Lady raise with me the details of this case, I will take it up with the appropriate Department and see if we can get some progress.

[Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab)]

In September last year, I hosted survivors and victims of the so-called gossip website Tattle Life, and we heard the absolutely harrowing testimonies of those who have been targeted by sustained and escalating online harassment, stalking and abuse by its users, with many people driven to feel suicidal. There has been extensive coverage of this issue by the broadcast media, including “Good Morning Britain” and ITV’s “Lorraine”.

I raise this matter because, on Sunday, 16-year-old Prin Dickson died by suicide after facing escalating and intensifying harassment on this dangerous website. Many colleagues and I have called on Ofcom to listen to our concerns and to take down the website. On Monday, we wrote to Ofcom again, but four days on from Prin’s suicide, this website is still live, and users are now discussing her suicide and abusing her bereaved mum. Can the Leader of the House ensure that there is an urgent intervention by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to ensure that Ofcom uses all its powers to take down the site and prevent any further tragedy? Can he also ensure that time is provided to debate the Online Safety Act 2023 and failures to safeguard women and children online?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

What my hon. Friend describes is entirely unacceptable. Although I think the Department that deals with Ofcom will have heard her concerns, I will draw her question to its attention because this appears to be a matter of urgency. On the wider issue of children’s safety, the Government are announcing a consultation on social media, and I hope she will raise some of her concerns through that.