Over the past six years I have been involved with a number of issues, both as an MP and as chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee, involving corruption in sport. In many of these scandals it has been investigative journalists who first brought the issue into the light. Often journalists have provided […]
Firstly, I would like to wish all readers a Happy New Year, and best wishes for the next twelve months. If 2016 was a year of debate and decision, then 2017 has to be the year of getting on with the job. In March we will formally start the process of leaving the European […]
The Queen used her message this Christmas to ask us to draw on the inspiration of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes as we face the challenges of the year ahead. She also highlighted the importance of the ‘small acts of goodness’ we can commit to everyday, and cited the word of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, saying: […]
We have all been shocked by the terrible scenes this week from Berlin, where 12 people have been killed and 48 injured, following an attack at a popular Christmas Market. Many of the people who are listed as injured are reportedly in a serious condition and our thoughts and prayers are with them, as well […]
Does the Secretary of State agree that there should be a mandatory requirement for the reporting of known or suspected abuse for everyone who works in regulated activities, including sport? https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2016-12-15/debates/003D303A-4B60-49AD-8D44-00AEA4E7CAE6/SexualAbuseInSport#contribution-4EB1981B-D6C4-4D81-B7F7-3AC6357DA6D1
On Friday last week I joined a special event at Sandgate Primary school organised by Digital Radio UK. Its purpose was to mark the switching on of the final of nine new digital radio transmitters for Kent. These now mean that 95% of homes and businesses in the county should be able to receive a […]
At this early stage, is the Department considering whether some of the conditions that Ofcom attached to the deal last time, such as the guarantee of editorial independence for Sky News, would be required this time around, given the restructuring of the Murdoch companies? https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2016-12-12/debates/7C16B788-DFFE-4E03-A851-BE3CE9801EE7/Sky21StCenturyFoxTakeoverBid#contribution-2A28FD2C-7E01-4022-BFA9-350F66EE349A
Shepway District Council is starting its community consultation on the proposed development of the Otterpool Garden town, with public events in Sellindge and Hythe on Thursday this week. You can find the times and dates for the full series of events on the council’s website. Whatever you have heard about the proposals, I would urge […]
On Wednesday last week the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, presented the Autumn Statement to parliament, and with it his first detailed analysis, setting out his priorities for public spending and investment in the economy. It’s clear that spending on infrastructure and new homes will be his main focus. Locally and nationally, we need […]
As Chair of the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport, I want to talk briefly about its inquiry and to congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) on securing this debate on this important subject. When we look back at the incidence of racism in football, particularly in the 1970s and […]