Simon Danczuk raises Janner decision in House of Commons

Photo: Journeaux

Simon Danczuk MP

Rochdale MP, Simon Danczuk, spoke out in the House of Commons today (Thursday 18 June) to challenge the Government on the failure of the Crown Prosecution Service to prosecute Labour peer Lord Janner for alleged child abuse.

Mr Danczuk has been a vocal critic of the decision of Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders not to prosecute the elderly peer due to ill health.

He raised concerns that Lord Janner retained his seat in the House of Lords and is therefore able to participate in the law-making process despite the fact that he is not able to face prosecution.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Danczuk said: “The whole House will be aware of the recent decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions not to prosecute Lord Janner for alleged child abuse owing to his apparent ill health.

"May we have a debate on this decision, and will the Leader of the House offer any advice on why Lord Janner can retain his seat in the other place, writing laws, when he is apparently unable to face the law himself?”

Responding for the Government, the Leader of the House, Chris Grayling, commended Mr Danczuk’s campaigning on this issue saying that, “he has done as much as anyone to bring this matter of great national concern to the fore”.

Mr Grayling added that MPs would have a chance to raise concerns about the CPS in a debate next Tuesday and that “I am sure that the messages from that debate will be listened to very carefully”.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Danczuk said: “I am pleased that MPs will have a chance to debate the failings of the CPS and raise issues like the failure to prosecute Lord Janner.

"The Government has said it will listen carefully and I hope they keep that promise because there is clearly public outcry about this decision.”