Hodge must go say Haringey Conservatives

Haringey Conservatives have called upon Childrens Minister, Margaret Hodge, to resign.

Haringey Conservative spokesman Justin Hinchcliffe said: Tony Blairs recent reshuffle included many unfortunate and inappropriate appointments. But the least appropriate appointment of all was his appointment of Margaret Hodge as Minister for Children. The media tackled her hard when the child sex abuse scandal in neighbouring Islington over which she presided, as council leader, was first exposed in the early 1990s. But they have given her an easy ride ever since whilst she has built her ministerial career. However, the one position that Tony Blair should never have offered her  and which she should not have accepted  was the position of Minister for Children.

We believe Haringey parents will support our call for her to resign. Her comments this week have shown she has learnt nothing from her past mistakes and shown no remorse. The only question is will Tony Blair have the guts to sack her  or will she finally show some common decency and go of her own accord?"

Notes to Editors:

The post of Minister for Children was created following the publication of the Lamming Report into the brutal death of Victoria Climbie.

Ian Willmore, the former deputy leader of Haringey council, said that Mrs Hodge's appointment as Children's Minister "flew in the face" of the recommendations of the inquiry into the girl's murder.

The inquiry report named and shamed senior managers and councillors and demanded that they take responsibility for child protection failures.

Mr Willmore said: "Once again, the senior politicians and officers involved in such cases have been promoted."

Eleanor Laing MP, Conservative spokesman for Children, says the prime minister should dismiss Mrs Hodge as people could have no confidence in her abilities to safeguard the interests of children.

Mrs Laing is now seeking an emergency debate on the issue in the House of Commons and she can be contacted on 020 7219 3000 for further information.

ENDS.