Labour women call for staggered age of consent to protect teens from sexual predators

Résumé détaillé

Two of Labour’s top women’s rights campaigners have backed calls to stagger the age of consent following allegations that Russell Brand and David Walliams sexually exploited girls.

It comes after a woman waived her right to anonymity to publicly claim she was sexually exploited by Brand as a 16-year-old schoolgirl.

Brand was jailed for more than 10 years last week. Actor and writer David Walliams has also been accused of exploiting young women. He denies being a sexual predator.

Russell Brand has been moved to a lower security prison that offers activities including yoga and art classes.

He displayed no remorse last night as he issued a statement from prison through his wife.

“As you know, I am not guilty for the offences I have been jailed for, so something strange is happening,” the statement read.

Under current UK law, adults of any age are legally able to have sex with 16 and 17-year-olds.

The former Labour deputy leader said there was “precedent” because people in positions of trust such as teachers or care workers or sports coaches cannot have sex with under-18s who are in their care.

Phillips, who was safeguarding minister until Andy Burnham took over as Prime Minister, told The i Paper: “I think it’s a totally fair thing to ask for and the Government should commit to working up possible policy on this and positions of trust in the mix.

“Obviously it needs to happen alongside improved relationship education because the growing group of people who sexually abuse girls are boys. So in the round it needs sorting.”

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