Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
Roger Gale
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Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport
Roger Gale Excerpts(6 years, 2 months ago)
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Sir Roger Gale (in the Chair)
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Before we commence the debate, may I make the point that some relevant cases are sub judice. It would not be proper for hon. Members to refer to anything that is still before the courts in any form.
Laura Smith (Crewe and Nantwich) (Lab)
I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing the debate. I would like to place on the record my support and complete admiration for those victims who have so bravely spoken out about their terrible experiences at the hands of Barry Bennell. They were let down. My constituents who were victims are fighting tirelessly so that something like that can never happen again. It is so important that no stone is left unturned.
Sir Roger Gale (in the Chair)
Order. Let me reiterate my plea for hon. Members not to refer to cases that are before the courts.
Several hon. Members rose—
Sir Roger Gale (in the Chair)
Order. I know that this is difficult, but I would be grateful if hon. Members could keep names that are before the courts out of the debate.
Sir Roger Gale (in the Chair)
Before we proceed, I am aware of an element of disquiet, so I will place the ruling on the record, so that everybody understands why I have said what I have said. I imply no personal criticism to any Member. The Standing Orders for public business clearly state:
“Appellate proceedings, whether criminal or civil, are active from the time when they are commenced by application for leave to appeal or by notice of appeal until ended by judgment or discontinuance”.
They are therefore sub judice. I understand the strength of feeling in these cases—were I not in the Chair, I might share it—but the fact is that one of these cases is the subject of leave to appeal and therefore cannot be referred to.