Tories face questions over crime chief’s ‘quick skirts’ remark in abuse debate

Labour has referred to as for “meaningful action” towards a Tory crime chief who referenced women sporting “short skirts” in a dialogue about abuse of girls and women.

Labour Party Chair Anneliese Dodds has written to Tory Chairman Richard Holden in regards to the “disgraceful” remarks made by Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Dwyer. The Cheshire PCC has provided a “full and unreserved apology” after being reported to the native Police and Crime Panel for “misogynistic remarks” throughout a council assembly.

During a gathering of Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council on November 28, Mr Dwyer invited girls to participate in a survey about private security 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.”

The case was raised within the Commons by Shadow Minister for Equalities Ashley Dalton, who requested whether or not these views had been tolerated within the Conservative Party. Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch mentioned the feedback may very well be investigated.

In a letter to her Conservative counterpart, Ms Dodds criticised the feedback 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.

“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 feedback as she mentioned: “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 remark.

Labour Chair Anneliese Dodds’s letter in full:

Dear Richard,

It is unlucky that I’m writing to you relating to the conduct of elected Conservative representatives.

You will pay attention to reviews that John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire referred to “schoolgirls in my area […] all wearing very short skirts,” in response to a query a couple of survey by an organisation working to sort out stereotyping of individuals subjected to crime, violence, abuse and trauma.

These feedback are plainly reprehensible. They are a disgraceful instance of sufferer blaming from a person tasked with preserving the individuals of Cheshire protected from crime.

Compounding these feedback is your authorities’s woeful report on tackling violence towards girls and women. Under the Conservatives, police-recorded rapes have risen to historic highs, whereas convictions have fallen to historic lows.

It is extraordinarily regarding if views like these of John Dwyer are tolerated in your celebration. How can girls and women in Cheshire, but in addition throughout the nation, have faith that the federal government is dedicated to preserving them protected if views like this are held by elected representatives?

Kemi Badenoch, in response to my colleague Ashley Dalton, advised the House that his case could also be investigated. I might subsequently be grateful should you might inform me what investigation will happen and what, if any, significant motion can be taken towards John Dwyer. If not, then these liable to the epidemic of violence towards girls and women will draw their very own conclusions

I can be publishing this letter within the public curiosity.