Green Party admits ‘serious failure’ over allegations involving children

[TimeLady]

Andrew Gilligan report:

The Green Party ignored allegations that its former deputy leader had been involved in sexual misconduct with children, allowing him to remain as a councillor and continue at senior levels of the party for a further two years.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/greens-ignored-sex-claims-against-deputy-leader-will-duckworth-ngzdgxvc0?shareToken=ada7b2057e0bfc12929fb11e2c9224fa

They haven’t a bloody clue, have they? No credibility at all, not even basic safeguarding. Is child abuse endemic in this Party?

Well done Andrew Gilligan.

I think stupidity and naivety is endemic in the party which enables anybody who wishes to abuse children.

And they haven’t learnt with this recent ‘think the best of your colleagues at all times’ statement. No understanding of safeguarding whatsoever.

Lib Dems are the same.

When I was young (and impressionable?) the Green Party seemed so great and I really wanted them to do well.

Gone right off them. Feel let down. Disappointed and jaded.

There’s no mention of David Challinor. Wondering why? More articles to come??

I just cannot understand it.

When we had a two person alternative provision centre, every single person we hired as a support worker was put through more safeguarding and under more scrutiny than a UK national political party.

It's true that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. People seem to get away with things in plain sight and nobody seems willing to question it [apart from DJ Andy Healey, and look at how they treated him].

The absolutely last people who should be in any positions of power are the ones who want it.

The Green Party used to be all about climate, by trying to grow in relevance, they were preyed upon by predatory males with an agenda (in liberalising sexual "kinks") and the Party has now been captured by people whose intentions are not good but who saw a weakness, exploited it, and got an easy way in to power and persuasion.

The Green Party is seriously inept.

An email, disclosed to the Jay inquiry into child sexual abuse, shows senior staff at the party’s headquarters were told of the allegations against Duckworth*

Are these the same “senior staff” who shut down concerns reported to them about AC?

Are these the same “senior staff” who shut down concerns reported to them about AC?

That was the first thing I wondered too.

Excuse my ignorance, but why do political parties need safeguarding especially? They are not caring for or educating children? Obviously it is helpful to know which members should not attend any social events with children attending due to maybe legal restrictions imposed, but who is going to leave their kids with a political person anymore than you'd leave them with a random shop or office worker?

And obviously people making policy decisions need to be squeaky clean, but otherwise?

Whynot many teenagers volunteer or become involved with political parties. They often have residential events too.

Child abuse allegations are a police matter

Really?! I didn't know that. I thought political parties were just an adult thing!

The Green Party used to be all about climate, by trying to grow in relevance, they were preyed upon by predatory males with an agenda (in liberalising sexual "kinks") and the Party has now been captured by people whose intentions are not good but who saw a weakness, exploited it, and got an easy way in to power and persuasion.

Precisely this.

What with this and the Challenor debacle, we can conclude that the Green Party is not a safe environment for any woman or any child. If their procedures and due diligence are this poor, the party represents a clear risk.

In fact Political parties have whole divisions specifically to attract teenagers. The Young Greens/Labour/Libdems etc.

Excuse my ignorance, but why do political parties need safeguarding especially? They are not caring for or educating children?

Everyone working with any vulnerable person, young or old, needs to have robust safeguarding procedures. From canvassing and visiting people's homes, to hosting surgeries one to one, to volunteering in any activities. It's basic practice if you are involved in any way, with groups outside your own family.

WhyNotMe40 - you do know that there are statutory obligations for safeguarding vulnerable adults as well as children, right?! Blimey.

Here's the legal category:

A person is a vulnerable adult if, having attained the age of 18, s/he —

*is in residential accommodation,
*is in sheltered housing,
*receives domiciliary care,
*receives any form of health care,
*is detained in lawful custody,
*by virtue of an order of a court, is under supervision per Criminal Justice Act 2003 sections regarding community sentences;
*receives a welfare service of a prescribed description,
*receives any service or participates in any activity provided specifically for persons who has particular needs because of his age
*has any form of disability or has a prescribed physical or mental problem
*has payments made to him/her or to an accepted representative in pursuance of arrangements under Health and Social Care Act 2012,
*requires assistance in the conduct of own affairs

They have shown themselves to be completely useless. Wet lettuce more than greens.

whynotme40 - this man was the 2nd most senior member of the Green Party - he was sacked from his last educational job 12 years ago for his sexually inappropriate behaviour with pupils - lied about the reasons - all the facts were sent to the Green Party in 2016 they did nothing - Contrast that with the speed they acted to suspend people who questioned the AWAW cult.

The Green Party used to be all about climate, by trying to grow in relevance, they were preyed upon by predatory males with an agenda (in liberalising sexual "kinks") and the Party has now been captured by people whose intentions are not good but who saw a weakness, exploited it, and got an easy way in to power and persuasion.

I think this is probably true. Keeping yourself one step removed from children and vulnerable adults but devastatingly effective if you can influence changes in law 'under the radar'. Anyone found advocating such changes should have the spotlight trained on them and their motives questioned.

you do know that there are statutory obligations for safeguarding vulnerable adults as well as children, right?!

Not only that, an organisation should not wait until a vulnerable person joins them, they should all have safeguarding policies, procedures, staff who have attended a safeguarding course and a safeguarding lead prior to any vulnerable person being involved in the first place. They should have these whether or not a vulnerable person is involved so that they are sufficiently prepared prior to their involvement.

you do know that there are statutory obligations for safeguarding vulnerable adults as well as children, right?!

To be fair, I suspect the vast majority of the public don't.

Not only that, an organisation should not wait until a vulnerable person joins them, they should all have safeguarding policies, procedures, staff who have attended a safeguarding course and a safeguarding lead prior to any vulnerable person being involved in the first place. They should have these whether or not a vulnerable person is involved so that they are sufficiently prepared prior to their involvement.

Exactly. Plus, politicians are in basically a customer-facing role. This bloke, presumably, was knocking on doors canvassing. Potential voters should consider themselves - and their children - safe to invite him into their house for discussions.

It is staggering how people who should know, manage to avoid 'knowing' this.

How many Greens were or are in the teaching world and who DO know this but are choosing to pretend they don't?