Heated Oldham debate on tackling child sexual abuse twice adjourned amid heckling as inquiry calls defeated again
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA heated row broke out out during a motion calling for mandatory reporting of concerns of child sexual abuse as councillors were heckled and calls for a further public inquiry in Oldham were defeated.
Proceedings had to be twice adjourned at a meeting of the full council at Oldham’s civic centre on Wednesday night after protesters in the public gallery interrupted proceedings and shouted at councillors during and after the motion.
One woman, who became emotional during the debate, was later asked to leave the chamber after wishing ill on a councillor’s children.
The motion – which was agreed by a majority of councillors present – wanted a compulsory duty to report safeguarding concerns enshrined in the Code of Conduct for elected members, and consultation on the duty for officials employed by the council. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features. Moved by council leader Arooj Shah it also stated they want to develop and adopt a ‘Victims and Survivors Charter’ in Oldham in consultation with victim and survivor groups.
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