Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his confidence in MP Jess Phillips after grooming survivors demanded her resignation. The survivors called for Phillips to step down over her support for a campaign group linked to a convicted rapist. However, Starmer has backed Phillips, stating that she has his full support.
The demand for Phillips’ resignation came after it was revealed that she had supported the Women’s Equality Party (WEP) campaign, which was founded by a convicted sex offender. The survivors argued that Phillips’ support for the campaign was unacceptable and called for her to resign from her position as the Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding.
Despite the calls for her resignation, Phillips has remained defiant and has continued to defend her decision to support the WEP campaign. She has stated that she was not aware of the founder’s criminal history at the time and that she does not support or condone his actions.
Sir Keir Starmer has stood by Phillips, stating that he has confidence in her abilities as an MP and as the Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding. He has emphasized the importance of supporting survivors of grooming and sexual abuse and has reiterated his commitment to tackling these issues within the Labour Party.
The controversy surrounding Phillips’ support for the WEP campaign has sparked a debate within the Labour Party about the importance of vetting campaign groups and the individuals involved. Some party members have called for stricter guidelines to be put in place to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Despite the criticism and calls for her resignation, Phillips has received support from her colleagues within the Labour Party. Many have praised her for her work on domestic violence and safeguarding issues and have expressed their confidence in her ability to continue in her role.
Overall, the situation has highlighted the challenges faced by politicians when supporting campaign groups and the importance of thoroughly researching and vetting the organizations they choose to align themselves with. It has also underscored the need for clear guidelines and transparency in political decision-making to ensure that the interests of survivors and vulnerable individuals are always prioritized.
