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Conrad Duncan
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Sir Christopher Chope is blocking good ideas again.
The Conservative MP, who objected to a bill to ban upskirting and a pardon for Alan Turing, has now blocked a bill which would help prevent female genital mutilation (FGM) of children.
Under parliamentary rules, only one MP has to shout “object” to a bill to stall its progress.
Chope, who knighted in the 2018 New Year Honours for "political and public service", is part of a group of backbench Tory MPs who regularly object to private members bills because they don’t believe they receive enough scrutiny.
He also stalled the anti-FGM bill in November last year and described it as “virtue signalling”.
This time, his actions were condemned by opposition and Tory MPs, including home secretary Sajid Javid.
Very disappointed by this. FGM is child abuse. I am determined to stamp out this despicable and medieval practice.… https://t.co/wwfwm7Nu9y— Sajid Javid (@Sajid Javid) 1549637737
First he blocks making upskirting a criminal offence, now he objects to laws to protect children from genital mutil… https://t.co/cXkNZthnvF— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1549639485
Christopher Chope, the MP who objected to the upskirting bill has reached a new low. Today he blocked new, stricter… https://t.co/PqH4GrhpCX— Tom Brake (@Tom Brake) 1549637736
Christopher Chope just blocked the Anti-FGM Bill in Parliament. @BrandonLewis, we’ve spoken in the lobby about this… https://t.co/cEDCQUDY81— Dr Rosena Allin-Khan 💙 (@Dr Rosena Allin-Khan 💙) 1549637305
And Chope’s “principled” reasons for blocking the bill are not as consistent as you’d expect.
Note: despite Chris Chope's so-called "principled objection" to private members' bills, he did not object to any of… https://t.co/USknSbzmz8— Alex Wickham (@Alex Wickham) 1549636760
Additionally, many say the anti-FGM bill has seen proper scrutiny as it has moved through parliament, including Chope’s own party.
A government source told Buzzfeed Newsearlier in the day:
We have done everything we can to support this bill. Christopher Chope is wrong. It will receive all the proper scrutiny during its passage through parliament. We hope he changes his mind and recognises it would be wrong to object to the bill today.
Political journalists were sick and tired of seeing the Tory MP once again disrupting bills which have widespread public and parliamentary support.
Just about everybody: "Yeah I'd be up for a law protects children from genital mutilation" Christopher Chope: "OVE… https://t.co/VZaHX00Msr— James Felton (@James Felton) 1549637617
[Houses of Commons, MPs debating matter of basic decency] *Christopher Chope crashes through window* https://t.co/MeOQfE8eNw— Toby Earle (@Toby Earle) 1549638741
Tory MP Christopher Chope once again living down to expectations— John Crace (@John Crace) 1549638211
As were anti-FGM campaigners like Nimco Ali, who tried to convince Chope personally to not block the bill.
This is dishonest. By blocking the Bill today, Chope is stopping the very debate he pretends he wants. There would… https://t.co/4xu1JwJOu5— Nimco Ali (OBE) 🔻 (@Nimco Ali (OBE) 🔻) 1549613476
Dear Chope, if I could take on the world and FGM, trust me I will take you on as well.— Nimco Ali (OBE) 🔻 (@Nimco Ali (OBE) 🔻) 1549637889
Last week we had a #FGM conviction. 137,000 women and girls in the UK are living with FGM. It’s a reality and today… https://t.co/tQsBN5KrVe— Nimco Ali (OBE) 🔻 (@Nimco Ali (OBE) 🔻) 1549640682
The bill will now have to wait until 15 March to be heard again.
It is unclear whether he will try to block the bill then.
However, one person who shouldn’t receive any blame in all of this is journalist Christopher Hope.
Dear Twitter, For the avoidance of doubt I am NOT Sir Christopher Chope MP. Many thanks.— Christopher Hope📝 (@Christopher Hope📝) 1549636638
The bill-blocking Chope does not have a Twitter account.
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