News

Newly elected Labour MP reveals how she was raped, age 15

Published

4 months ago

July 20, 2024

NEWLY elected Labour MP Natalie Fleet has bravely revealed how she was raped at the age of 15.
In a harrowing GBNews.com interview to be broadcast this Sunday (July 21), Ms Fleet says she still has “weekly nightmares” about what happened two decades on from the attack.
After being raped, Ms Fleet fell pregnant but says the daughter she gave birth to is now the “love of her life”.
Sitting down with GB News’ Gloria De Piero in an exclusive interview she explains that she’s decided to speak about what happened because the actions of her attacker – who told her to have an abortion – were “not ok”.
Ms Fleet also fears many women are suffering and unable to get the support they need.
That’s why she plans to use her platform in Parliament to use her teenage experiences, which also saw her spent a period homeless, as a catalyst for change.
Reflecting on what happened to her two decades ago, Ms Fleet, now a mother-of-four, said: “Today, 23 years later, I look back and I think, it wasn’t ok. That was an older man. I didn’t know we were having unprotected sex. I was a child and (it) is statutory rape. At the time this isn’t something that we were talking about. It’s not how I saw myself. I still have weekly nightmares about it.
“I have a huge privilege and advantage to be in Parliament and I’m thrilled to be here. But what happened in my childhood still has a massive impact on me, which is why I’m so excited about what the next Labour government is going to do.
“At 15, you definitely think you’re old enough to do all these things. I wanted to give my daughter the best life. But another thing that I can do now I’m in Parliament is I want to be a voice for all of those people, all of those women that have children in far from ideal circumstances.
“That’s why I wanted to talk about where my daughter came from and about what happened. It was really difficult for me to say to her, ‘I don’t think this was entirely consensual, and I think I might have been groomed, and I don’t think this is an appropriate relationship’. She took it really well. I Googled in advance f0r some tips, just a fact sheet or ‘how to deal with this’ and I found nothing.
“I found absolutely nothing. I found there were fact sheets about rape being used as a war crime. But there was nothing else. There’s no acknowledgement that it happens in the UK. And the more research I’ve done, I’ve found that there are over 3,000 conceptions every year from rape. But there’s no charity to support those women.
“There’s no help, advice, or support helpline that you can go to. No help on ‘how do I tell my child, that I love, that is everything to me, that this is where they came from?’”
Explaining why extra support in this area is so desperately needed she continued: “It is biologically very clear what happened to me because I was 15 years old, and he was older. I can prove where she came from, so that’s statutory rape. But there are so many women that this happens too who don’t speak about it.

“They dare not speak about it because they know they won’t be believed. And then even if by some miracle, we move to a society where women are believed, once you say this is your child, then that man can come and have access to that child.
“Even if you prove it’s rape, that man can have access to that child and help bring it up. And that’s absolutely terrifying. This is a perpetrator that has hurt the mother, who can then have access to the child.
“He told me to have an abortion at the time. He’s never met her. He never wanted anything to do with it. And he was very dismissive. He told me many times that he knew lots of ways that he wouldn’t have to pay a penny towards her, because all his friends had already evaded the CSA.”
Describing the relationship she now has with her daughter, Ms Fleet said: “So she’s 23 now and is the absolute love of my life. I am so proud of everything she is. I am thrilled. She makes me proud every single day. But at the time, when I was 15, I felt full of shame and guilt and responsibility. And all I was determined to do was make sure that she had a life that was as good as she would have had to any age parent. That was what I was determined to do.”
Outlining how she plans to use her role as an MP to push for change, she said: “I am a product of the last Labour government. It wasn’t a perfect Government, but it changed my life and it was transformational. When I was younger, things were tough and I had a Labour government.
“When we were homeless, the Labour government made sure that there was enough housing stock for us to be rehoused. And then when I had my first child at a very young age, I could send her to a Sure Start nursery. I could carry on, go to university with a first in the family scholarship.
“I could work in a minimum wage job. I could send my children because I’d got two by then, to a Sure Start nursery, and it just felt like I needed the support of the state. And my God, I got it.
“And, before I became an MP, I worked for a trade union and I was absolutely desperate to give back to my teachers. My teachers had invested in me. The Labour government made sure that my teachers had time to teach me and look after me, and I then saw that I was paying taxes and they weren’t being invested in young children like me or teachers. That’s why we needed a new Government?”
“On my estate, the estate where we were rehoused, I looked around and people struggled. And I see now there are people that I was close to when I was younger who are now suffering with addiction and poverty scars.
“What poverty has done to me has meant that I work and work and work and work and work. If somebody knocks on my door, I won’t answer it because I’m still scared it’s the bailiffs. That’s what happens to you in your childhood, it stays with you. In areas of Bolsover it’s absolutely heart-breaking.
“But I could either be angry about what’s happened over the past 14 years, sad and feel powerless, or I could come into Parliament and try and do something about it. I mean, what an honour.”

News

Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League – Division 2: Match reports

Published

2 mins ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

Narberth 4 – 0 Neyland
Narberth stormed to a dominant 4-0 win over Neyland, with Chris Brown delivering a sensational hat-trick. Ifan Rees also found the back of the net, rounding off a commanding performance that keeps Narberth firmly in the promotion race. Neyland struggled throughout, unable to contain the home side or create meaningful chances.

Broad Haven 1 – 6 Merlins Bridge II
Merlins Bridge II overwhelmed Broad Haven with an emphatic 6-1 victory. George Mabuzane dazzled with a hat-trick, while Jack Ashman and Josh Knapp also scored, alongside an unfortunate own goal from the hosts. Owen Sheppard provided a consolation for Broad Haven, but they were comprehensively outplayed by the dominant visitors.

Hakin United II 7 – 2 Lawrenny
Hakin United II dismantled Lawrenny in a thrilling 7-2 encounter. Evan Rutherford was unstoppable, netting four times, with Corey Riley, George Wheeler, and Thomas Evans adding to the scoreline. Lawrenny’s Kye Bradbury and Charlie Arthur found the net for the visitors, but their contributions could not stem the tide of Hakin’s relentless attack.

Solva 1 – 4 Camrose
Camrose secured an impressive 4-1 victory at Solva, powered by a brace from Jordan Raymond. James Williams and Joe Haworth, with a coolly converted penalty, also scored for the visitors. Kieran Price grabbed a goal for Solva, but Camrose’s sharp finishing and strong team performance ensured a comfortable win.

Johnston 6 – 1 Carew II
Johnston dominated Carew II in a resounding 6-1 triumph. Joey George and Craig Bendall each scored twice, while Ryan Doyle and Steve Mills completed the tally for the hosts. Carew’s Sam Goodwin managed to score their lone goal, but Johnston’s attacking prowess proved too much to handle.

Fishguard Sports 9 – 1 Monkton Swifts II
Fishguard Sports delivered a masterclass, thrashing Monkton Swifts II with a stunning 9-1 victory. Luke Thomas and Haydn Hughes both registered hat-tricks, with Ieuan Llewellyn adding a brace. Greg Hughes rounded off the scoring, while Monkton’s only mark on the game was an own goal, as Fishguard showcased a near-flawless performance.

News

Manderwood Pembrokeshire football league – Division 2: Match reports

Published

6 mins ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

Charity

200 hours at sea in RNLI’s 200th year for Fishguard volunteer

Published

23 mins ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A FISHGUARD RNLI volunteer has become the first crew member at the station to clock 200 hours at sea in 2024, the RNLI’s bicentenary year.

Jessica Rogers, who joined the crew in September 2021, serves on Fishguard’s Trent-class all-weather lifeboat Blue Peter VII and the D-Class inshore lifeboat Edward Arthur Richardson.

This year has been a milestone for Fishguard RNLI, with over 30 service launches, the addition of a full-time coxswain, and the introduction of a tiered training scheme. Jessica’s achievement highlights the station’s commitment during this historic year, which marks 200 years since Sir William Hillary founded the RNLI.

Jessica has excelled in her training, achieving Tier One and Tier Two crew qualifications for both lifeboats, enabling her to operate as a fully competent crew member on either vessel. She is now advancing her skills as a helm and navigator. Her dedication has resulted in over 200 recorded hours at sea—the highest seen at the station in eight years.

These hours include 35 hours responding to 15 rescue shouts, with the remainder dedicated to training, including supporting other crew members during exercises. Beyond her sea hours, Jessica contributes as the station’s Lifeboat Training Coordinator, ensuring all crew training is up to date.

Professionally, Jessica is a self-employed podiatrist in Fishguard. Her clients are familiar with her RNLI commitment, with lifeboat news often a topic of conversation during appointments. On occasion, her pager has gone off mid-treatment, requiring her professional judgement to prioritize her clients’ safety before responding to a shout.

Jessica’s milestone coincides with the RNLI’s 200th year, showcasing the dedication of volunteers who have supported the lifesaving charity for two centuries. While Jessica is the first to surpass 200 hours at Fishguard in 2024, a handful of other crew members are expected to achieve this milestone by year-end.

Earlier this year, Jessica, her husband Cedwyn Rogers, Florian Caroff, and Jake Thomson were recognized for completing 100 hours at sea, each receiving commemorative glassware crafted by full-time coxswain Gemma Gill. Gemma is now creating a special memento to mark Jessica’s 200-hour achievement.

Gemma Gill, full-time coxswain at Fishguard RNLI, said: “I am incredibly proud of our team, especially Jess for reaching this significant milestone during the RNLI’s bicentenary. Jess’s 200 hours afloat are just part of her contribution—she’s also dedicated countless hours to training, fundraising, and community events. Thank you, Jess, and all our Fishguard crew, for your unwavering commitment.”

Jessica Rogers reflected on her achievement: “I was surprised to learn I’ve spent so much time at sea this year! I love being part of the Fishguard crew, and as they say, time flies when you’re having fun.

This milestone isn’t just my achievement—it’s thanks to the hard work of RNLI staff and volunteers, as well as the generous support of our donors. I look forward to continuing my training and becoming an even more valuable crew member in the years ahead.”

Fishguard RNLI’s year of milestones underscores the dedication of its volunteers and the enduring legacy of the RNLI in saving lives at sea.