Robert Buckland
Main Page: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)Sir Jimmy Savile (BBC Inquiry)
Robert Buckland Excerpts(12 years, 2 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
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Maria Miller
I understand my hon. Friend’s point. That is a matter for the honours forfeiture committee, which I am sure will have heard his comments.
Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con)
Until the law was changed some 25 years ago it was deemed in such cases that a child complainant with unsupported or uncorroborated evidence could not be believed and prosecutions therefore could not be brought. Although the law has, thankfully, been changed, is not now the time to remind all children and young people who are victims of such despicable acts that they can come forward and be treated in confidence by professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that the truth comes out?
Maria Miller
My hon. Friend, who I know has a great deal of experience in this area, will be pleased to know that the Metropolitan police, who are undertaking the investigation, are working with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children for precisely the reasons he gives. We must ensure that young people who have had these experiences, or adults who had them when they were young, can come forward so that their evidence can be heard, perhaps through a third party, to ensure that we know all the facts.