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IICSA will examine the case of David Challenor and how he was able to continue being a political agent for Aimee

42 replies

ImmortalityMyDarlings · 30/10/2018 11:40

News release from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (into CSA in Westminster) this morning:

"We will also examine the case of David Challenor and how he was able to continue being a political agent for his daughter Aimee who was a green party member, despite facing serious allegations of child sexual abuse for which he was later convicted and is now serving 22 years for"

twitter.com/InquiryCSA/status/1057227702523084801

OP posts:
hackmum · 30/10/2018 11:47

Really good news. I imagine both the Greens and Aimee were hoping this story would be quietly buried and forgotten.

QuizteamBleakley · 30/10/2018 11:52

Some of the evidence that the investigation has already looked at - regarding Notts children's homes - is horrific.

scepticalwoman · 30/10/2018 11:52

Waits for the enquiry to be hounded by accusations of transphobia for daring to look at this.

scepticalwoman · 30/10/2018 11:55

Pleased to see that the enquiry is looking at PIE - and hopefully some of their current advocates!

LangCleg · 30/10/2018 11:59

This is very good news. I hope all political parties will be paying very close attention.

I wonder how this enquiry will ever produce a final report. Everything it looks at unlocks yet another Pandora's box of horrors.

It should be alerting all institutions and politicians about the extent of exploitation in this country. Instead, they all seem to be too busy listening to lobby groups that want to dilute safeguarding.

theOtherPamAyres · 30/10/2018 12:13

The delay in coming to trial was the reason why David Challoner was able to exert power and influence.

The well-worn tactic to plead 'not guilty' results in long delays and it shouldn't. It is in the public interest, I believe, to fast-track cases of violence and sexual violence:

  • to lessen the stress on victims and witnesses
  • to prevent the withdrawal of victims and witnesses (who cannot stand the pressure). When this happens, the prosecution cannot proceed and violent men walk free.

-to bring people like Challoner to justice and out of circulation, as quickly as possible.

There was also the question of bail rather than being kept in custody, because Challoner persuaded the Court that he had a caring role.

The Justice system needs an overhaul. I hope the enquiry will look at balancing the needs of the victim and the public at large, with the cynical deployment of 'not guilty' pleas for violent men to remain at large.

IAmNotInvisible · 30/10/2018 12:19

So pleased to hear this, but I wonder how long it'll take.

Needmoresleep · 30/10/2018 12:31

And whether Stonewall will look at who is advising them.

And whether the public and financial sectors will, in the light of this, review the advice clthey take from Stonewall.

Melamin · 30/10/2018 12:33

Wow - an outbreak of sense!

They really need to look at how these individuals and groups cling onto the coattails of power. It worked for Savile for many, many years. It is a useful smokescreen when mixed with positive publicity, and people in power seem to be reluctant to see it.

boldlygoingsomewhere · 30/10/2018 12:56

Glad it’s being investigated. It needs someone to look at that whole grubby network and any ‘advice’ Aimee was involved in drafting needs to be ditched and looked at again.

Bowlofbabelfish · 30/10/2018 13:04

Good.

When is it due to report?
And
Is it possible to submit evidence/leads/requests for certain things to be looked at?

KatVonGulag · 30/10/2018 13:06

I feel so relieved they are looking into this. The whole thing stinks.

NothingOnTellyAgain · 30/10/2018 13:10

Good news.

I hope they also double check around the other groups DC was involved with >> the scouts, who have no said anything, gymnastics group & I believe wheelchair basketball.

Also - anyone know if the supporters of AC who named the victim on social media had any consequences?

LangCleg · 30/10/2018 13:20

When is it due to report?

In about a decade, probably! It was sent out with very broad parameters and er... has enough material to never end, if it pursues all avenues.

I guess when there is enough solid information to reform legislation (and extend safeguarding).

HandsOffMyRights · 30/10/2018 13:35

Good news. Even today I was writing about how AC has input into schools material.

Wonder what this will uncover.

HandsOffMyRights · 30/10/2018 13:36

Disclaimer: Don't know extent of AC input but AC is on Stonewall advisory panel, which I've mentioned innGovt consultation on RSE in schools.

VickyEadie · 30/10/2018 13:50

AC is on Stonewall advisory panel, which I've mentioned innGovt consultation on RSE in schools.

When and how, exactly, did we get to a position where people barely into adulthood get to be invited to posts, panels and advisory positions which influence public policy and - in particular - issues around children and safeguarding?

What, I wonder, does such a person know that's of relevance here, apart from their own, unique (and possibly not relevant to anyone else, therefore) experience?

ZuttZeVootEeVro · 30/10/2018 13:53

I agree with your points theOtherPamAyres

There was also the question of bail rather than being kept in custody, because Challoner persuaded the Court that he had a caring role.

I'm shocked that he was given bail for such a serious offence, but I can see it's difficult when the time between being charged and court is so long.

AngryAttackKittens · 30/10/2018 14:00

When and how, exactly, did we get to a position where people barely into adulthood get to be invited to posts, panels and advisory positions which influence public policy and - in particular - issues around children and safeguarding?

Indeed, and that would be an excellent question even were the young person not under the influence of a parent such as David Challenor. If they are that should be picked up on and dealt with, and the fact that in this case it wasn't needs a lot more investigation.

My suspicion is that everyone new DC was under investigation at both the Greens and Stonewall. Why they chose to allow Aimee to continue as an advisor/Green Party rep and David to be involved in Aimee's various campaigning and policy drafting activities anyway is I think the key question. I would not feel comfortable supporting either organization again until we know the answer to that question.

AngryAttackKittens · 30/10/2018 14:01

The fact that if not imprisoned DC was going to continue in a caring role should have been a reason not to allow bail, as it should by that point have been obvious that he was a risk to others.

OlennasWimple · 30/10/2018 14:05

Good

FekkoThePenguin · 30/10/2018 14:06

Good sense at last.

gendercritter · 30/10/2018 14:09

Good! I still can't believe this happened and how casually it was treated afterwards

Floisme · 30/10/2018 14:12

Slight derail but does anyone know what’s happening the Green Party’s own investigation?

UpstartCrow · 30/10/2018 14:29

Is this good news? The enquiry does not have a good track record. This does need to be investigated, I cant help thinking it would be better done by a more efficient agency.