Points of Order

Chris McDonald Excerpts

Tuesday 28th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order. I have had no indication that any Minister is coming to the House to make a statement today, but he will recall that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made a statement to the House yesterday, in which he described the measures the UK Government were taking in Scotland and Northern Ireland to address the impact of the storm.

[Chris McDonald (Stockton North) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. On 8 January, in response to a question on child protection, the Prime Minister told this House:

“Reasonable people can agree or disagree on whether a further inquiry is necessary.”—[Official Report, 8 January 2025; Vol. 759, c. 836.]

Yet over the past week, the hon. Member for Stockton West (Matt Vickers), the shadow Policing Minister, has used social media to link councillors who voted against a new national inquiry with grooming gangs. In accordance with the customs of this House, I have informed the hon. Member for Stockton West that I intended to name him.

Madam Deputy Speaker, those posts have incited vile comments online, including councillors being accused of being paedophiles. One comment chillingly read:

“I hope people find out where they live and start persecuting them.”

We know too well that such words online can lead to real-world consequences. One councillor was specifically targeted through paid social media advertisements. People turned up at her home and terrorised her, with yobs braying at her door. Other councillors have been verbally assaulted.

Members of this House have benefited from the good offices of Mr Speaker, who has championed their safety and security. I am sure, Madam Deputy Speaker, that all are appalled by the depraved behaviour of child grooming and rape gangs, but to exploit that suffering for political gain is, frankly, sickening. I would be grateful if you could advise me on the most appropriate way to highlight the potential consequences of our words to all Members, in particular the shadow Policing Minister—if, indeed, he is considered fit to continue in that role.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I thank the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order, and I note that he informed the hon. Member for Stockton West that he intended to refer to him in the Chamber. The Chair is not responsible for comments made by Members on social media, but I urge all Members to reflect carefully on the likely impact of what they post online.