Howard moves on child sex tourists
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.HEATHER MILLS
Home Affairs Correspondent
New laws to punish organisers of foreign child-sex trips were announced by Michael Howard, the Home Secretary, yesterday.
Those who are found to have conspired or incited anyone to commit rape or to have sex with a girl under 13 abroad, could be sentenced to life. Conspiracy to commit an indecent assault on a boy would attract a maximum 10-year penalty, and with a child under 14, two years.
But Mr Howard was immediately attacked for being "tardy" and only tackling the tip of the iceberg. Children's groups concerned at the spread of the child-sex industry throughout the world said most of the paedophiles who travelled abroad for sex went alone and would not be caught by the legislation.
David Ould, spokesman for an alliance of groups including Anti-Slavery International, Save the Children and the NSPCC, said: "This certainly does not go far enough. Unfortunately, for many people it will give the impression that the Government is doing something concrete and they can relax. We do think the UK Government has been tardy, and this is a very little response."
He said they would continue to press the Government to bring in laws which would enable prosecutions in Britain against individuals who abuse and exploit children abroad - laws that have already been introduced in several EU countries, Australia and the US.
But Mr Howard is known to have had serious misgivings about the feasibility introducing extra-territorial jurisdiction, because of problems with evidence-gathering and bringing witnesses from developing world countries to give evidence in British courts.
He said the Government was now looking for a "suitable legislative opportunity" to put the plans into law.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments