While the Conservatives criticise Labour’s record on child grooming scandals, a resurfaced gem from Boris Johnson’s past has cast their own approach in a less-than-glowing light.
Back in 2019, Johnson claimed that money spent on investigating historic child abuse cases was being “spaffed up a wall.” Yes, really.
What Did He Say?
During an LBC phone-in, Johnson, who was about to take over as prime minister, made his now-infamous remark.
He said: “An awful lot of money and police time now goes into these historic offences and all this malarkey. You know, £60 million I saw was being spaffed up a wall on some investigation into historic child abuse. What on earth is that going to do to protect the public now?”
Because nothing says “compassionate leader” quite like dismissing the pursuit of justice for abuse survivors as “all this malarkey.”
Outrage Then and Now
At the time, Johnson’s comments sparked widespread outrage. Louise Haigh, then shadow policing minister, didn’t hold back.
“Could you look the victims in the eye and tell them investigating and bringing to justice those who abused them, as children, is a waste of money?” she asked.
Fast forward to today, and the resurfaced footage raises awkward questions for a party currently demanding a national inquiry into grooming gangs. Critics have called out the apparent contradiction in their stance.
A Pattern of Priorities
The controversy highlights a broader issue with how politicians prioritise—some might say weaponise—issues of justice. While grooming gangs are undeniably a horrifying reality, dismissing the experiences of victims of historic abuse hardly paints a picture of moral consistency.
Perhaps what’s being “spaffed up a wall” here is public trust.
You may also like: WATCH: BBC host challenges Jenrick: “Did you do enough on grooming gangs?”
