Yesterday the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, gave a statement to the House of Commons regarding the protests and violence that took place in London and other parts of the UK.
One of the most distressing things I saw was on the Cenotaph which graffitied and the Union Jack flag attempted to be burnt.
I will always defend peoples right to protest, as long as it is peaceful.
However, desecration of memorials that remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today, is repugnant. I know those feelings were shared by the vast majority residents in Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke.
I therefore asked the Home Secretary would she back me, James Sunderland MP and the Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces in creating a new law called the ‘Desecration of War Memorials Bill’.
At present there is no specific law to protect these important monuments and unless £5000 worth of damage is done, it is incredibly hard to prosecute. We sadly lack in this area compared to our Commonwealth friends.
Therefore I will be putting forward this Bill to bring about a clear custodial sentence and fine for such heinous acts.
To see the full question and answer, please click here.