"Many Photos" - Tory MP Christopher Chope blocks law to protect girls from genital mutilation

Tory MP Christopher Chope was facing a fresh wave of anger today after blocking legislation protecting girls from genital mutilation.

The veteran Conservative shouted 'object' to prevent the progress of a Bill allowing the courts to issue protection orders if they think a child is at risk from FGM. 

It is the second time he has acted against the law - sparking howls of protest from fellow MPs. 

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: 'Outraged Chris Chope has blocked the FGM safeguarding Bill in Parliament today. His actions are wrong, pure & simple.'

Sir Christopher is notorious for using arcane House of Commons procedures to stop measures put forward by backbenchers despite them having widespread support.

Tory MP Christopher Chope (pictured in the Commons today) was facing a fresh wave of anger today after blocking legislation protecting girls from genital mutilation

Tory MP Zac Goldsmith said the fact Sir Christopher had stepped in once more was 'just appalling'

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was 'outraged' by the move, while Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he was 'very disappointed'

He often argues that the government should make time for such laws so they get more detailed scrutiny, and previously stood in the way of a ban on 'upskirting' and a posthumous pardon for mathematician Alan Turing. 

Who is Sir Christopher Chope and why did he block the new law?

Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope has made a career out of blocking back bench legislation in Parliament.

The Tory MP, 71, has halted progress on laws about the Hillborough disaster, a pardon for Alan Turing and wild animals in circuses.

He frequently cites a lack of debate, faulty drafting or duplication of law.  

Among dozens of Bills he had blocked, Sir Christopher has also opposed: 

• Free hospital parking for carers


• Making revenge evictions a crime


• Laws on same-sex marriage 


• Protecting police dogs 


• Careers advice for sixth formers


• National standards for taxi licenses  

Sir Christopher, first elected in 1983, has repeatedly criticised the ability of MPs to make small changes to the law from the backbenches.

Despite his opposition to many backbench bills, the father of two is also the architect of dozens of his own - typically as a way to take up time and block other proposals.

He was knighted last year for 'political and public service'. 

Under Commons procedures, MPs take part in a ballot to decide the priority given to their Private Members' Bills.

Specific Fridays are earmarked for dealing with the legislation. However, laws that are not high enough on the list to have been debated by 2.30pm are then vulnerable to being derailed by lone opponents.

If anyone shouts 'object' when they are proposed, a second reading is denied and they go back into the queue to be considered at a later date.   

The new law would have given councils preventative powers to protect young girls at risk of FGM.

It went through the House of Lords unopposed, but was prevented from progressing by Sir Christopher in November - and again today.

Tory MP Zac Goldsmith said the fact Sir Christopher had stepped in once more was 'just appalling'.

He also dismissed the idea that Sir Christopher had a 'principled objection' to Private Members' Bills, pointing out that he did not object to plans put forward by his friends. 

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he was 'very disappointed'.

'FGM is child abuse. I am determined to stamp out this despicable and medieval practice,' he wrote on Twitter.

MPs did debate Sir Christopher's own Value Added Tax Bill today, which proposed VAT changes including exemptions for women's sanitary products, repairs and improvements to historic buildings and domestic fuel or power.

Urging colleagues to support it he railed against restrictions in EU law and said the Treasury's 'mindset' appears to be 'far too negative and unimaginative' on a lot of issues.

However, he later withdrew the Bill amid Government and Labour opposition.

Under Commons procedures, MPs take part in a ballot to decide the priority given to their Private Members' Bills

 

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News Photo Tory MP Christopher Chope blocks law to protect girls from genital mutilation
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