Calls for law change after ‘malicious’ report left MP with social services record

By Richard Wheeler, Reporter5th December 2023News EnglandChildrens Services, Courts / Justice, Government / Politics, Hate Speech / Harassment, News England, Stalking

A Labour MP left with a social services record after a “malicious” report by a man who disagreed with her political views has called for a law change.

Stella Creasy’s voiced cracked with emotion as she explained how the online troll continues to “target” her family as the record still exists.

The Walthamstow MP (pictured) said victims should have the right to request the deletion of data which was gathered or held as part of activity which could be considered criminal conduct, thereby preventing “ongoing distress” to them.

Speaking as MPs considered the Victims and Prisoners Bill, Ms Creasy told the Commons: “A year ago a man started emailing my office with his concerns about my politics and the issues that I was working on.”

Ms Creasy said she did not respond, adding: “Then I was called by my local social services because that man had decided, because he disagreed with my views, I was not a fit mother for my children.

“He had reported me, an investigation had taken place and whilst it had cleared me, my children and I now have a social services record.

“When I went to the police about the matter they said he had a right to express his opinions in that way.

“I challenged it because of my work on stalking and I understood that somebody who could report in that way and use a malicious report to harm somebody was clearly dangerous.

“In coming forward, further reports came out revealing that this man had continued his campaign of harassment.”

Ms Creasy went on: “Whilst this man has been convicted of harassment, his ability to target my family continues because the record continues.

“At present there is no way of removing a clearly malicious and false accusation from somebody’s record made to a third-party organisation.

“In tabling this amendment I recognise it’s not just those of us in the public eye who may be targeted in this way, we see in many cases of stalking people who fixate and use reporting mechanisms to damage their victims.

“I’ve had no support or help from Parliament or anybody within the parliamentary process for this, for the welfare of myself or my children, but now I want to stand up for everybody who has been through this process and I ask the minister to look at this.

“Because victims of clearly malicious reports must have the opportunity to have the record corrected.”

Responding for the Government, justice minister Edward Argar said Ms Creasy spoke with “considerable and typical courage”.

He added: “I’m happy, and the appropriate minister will be happy, to have further discussions with her on the issues she raised.”

In May, Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans criticised the “appalling abuse and harassment” directed at Ms Creasy and suggested the Government looks at what it can do to avoid a repeat incident.