David Cameron was visibly unsettled when Phillip Schofield handed him a list of three Conservatives accused of involvement in the child abuse scandal during his appearance on This Morning, and he may come to regret his response. “There is a danger that this could turn into a sort of witch-hunt, particularly against people who are gay,” Cameron said.
By suggesting that some on the list “are gay”, the Prime Minister has inadvertently encouraged further speculation over their identity. But it is with Schofield, who showed gross irresponsibility by asking Cameron to comment on a list based on internet rumour, that the blame must rest. After warning against a “witch-hunt”, Cameron added: “I’m worried about the sort of thing you’re doing right now, giving me a list of names that you’ve taken off the internet”.
Earlier this week, Labour MP Susan Elan Jones asked the government to assure her that any member of the House of Lords found guilty of child abuse would be “stripped of their peerage” in what many saw as a deliberate attempt to hint at the identity of one of the alleged abusers. Theresa May has warned MPs that using parliamentary privilege to name those accused of involvement could jeopardise any future trial.
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