It was a pleasure to join Della Wright and Emily Konstantis from The Safeguarding Alliance, alongside Sarah Champion MP, in meeting with Sarah Dines MP, Minister for Safeguarding, and Edward Argar MP, Minister for Victims, yesterday, to further discuss our campaign to introduce Della’s Law, preventing registered sex offenders from changing their name and evading justice.
Having introduced a 10-Minute Rule Bill on this issue in March, and speaking in the Second Reading of the Victims and Prisoners Bill in May, this is an issue which is incredibly important to me. The meeting provided a good opportunity for Della and Emily to put their views, experiences and expertise forward to the Ministers ahead of the Victims and Prisoners Bill returning to the House of Commons.
I am hopeful that we will be able to add clauses to restrict sex offenders from changing their name to the Bill, which currently aims to make provision about victims of criminal conduct and others affected by criminal conduct, independent public advocates for victims of major incidents, the release of prisoners, the membership and functions of the Parole Board and to prohibit certain prisoners from marrying or entering into a civil partnership.
I will update as the bill progresses.
