09 February 2024 , 19:00
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Labour has called for “meaningful action” against a Tory crime chief who referenced girls wearing "short skirts" in a discussion about abuse of women and girls.
Labour Party Chair Anneliese Dodds has written to Tory Chairman Richard Holden about the "disgraceful" remarks made by Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Dwyer. The Cheshire PCC has offered a “full and unreserved apology” after being reported to the local Police and Crime Panel for "misogynistic remarks" during a council meeting.
During a meeting of Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council on November 28, Mr Dwyer invited women to take part in a survey about personal safety and crime. But he was heard saying: “I notice schoolgirls in my area are all wearing very short skirts and this did not happen in the 1960s.”
John Dwyer apologised after complaints about his comments (PUBLICITY PIC)The case was raised in the Commons by Shadow Minister for Equalities Ashley Dalton, who asked whether these views were tolerated in the Conservative Party. Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch said the comments could be investigated.
In a letter to her Conservative counterpart, Ms Dodds criticised the comments as “a disgraceful example of victim blaming from an individual tasked with keeping the people of Cheshire safe from crime”. "Compounding these comments is your government’s woeful record on tackling violence against women and girls. Under the Conservatives, police-recorded rapes have risen to historic highs, while convictions have fallen to historic lows," she wrote.
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"It is extremely concerning if views like those of John Dwyer are tolerated in your party. How can women and girls in Cheshire, but also across the country, have confidence that the government is committed to keeping them safe if views like this are held by elected representatives?"
She demanded “meaningful action” from the Tories over Mr Dwyer’s comments as she said: “Unless the Conservative Party can show it has zero tolerance of these ignorant attitudes, women and girls will rightly question [their] commitment to effectively tackling violence and abuse.”
The Conservative Party was approached for comment.
Labour Chair Anneliese Dodds's letter in full:
Dear Richard,
It is unfortunate that I am writing to you regarding the conduct of elected Conservative representatives.
You will be aware of reports that John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire referred to "schoolgirls in my area [...] all wearing very short skirts," in response to a question about a survey by an organisation working to tackle stereotyping of people subjected to crime, violence, abuse and trauma.
These comments are plainly reprehensible. They are a disgraceful example of victim blaming from an individual tasked with keeping the people of Cheshire safe from crime.
Compounding these comments is your government’s woeful record on tackling violence against women and girls. Under the Conservatives, police-recorded rapes have risen to historic highs, while convictions have fallen to historic lows.
It is extremely concerning if views like those of John Dwyer are tolerated in your party. How can women and girls in Cheshire, but also across the country, have confidence that the government is committed to keeping them safe if views like this are held by elected representatives?
Kemi Badenoch, in response to my colleague Ashley Dalton, told the House that his case may be investigated. I would therefore be grateful if you could inform me what investigation will take place and what, if any, meaningful action will be taken against John Dwyer. If not, then those at risk of the epidemic of violence against women and girls will draw their own conclusions
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I will be publishing this letter in the public interest.