News

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

Published

2 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

Plans submitted for homes for the elderly in Milford Haven

Published

2 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A COUNCIL scheme to build 24 affordable homes for the elderly at the site of the former Motor World building in Milford Haven has been submitted to planners.
W B Griffiths & Sons Ltd, on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council, is seeking approval for the construction of a new residential redevelopment to comprise 24 affordable apartments for the elderly at 70A-80A Charles Street.
It is proposed to build 21 one-bed apartments and three two-bed apartments at the four-five storey building, along with a communal residents’ lounge on each floor, 10 on-site parking spaces, soft landscaping and trees.

The proposed building will be four-storeys from Charles Street to the north and five-storeys from Barlow Street to the south due to the change in topography from north to south.
The former Motor World site was cleared in 2018 to enable redevelopment, with planning permission granted on the site for the development of 15 affordable apartments for over-55s in 2020.
The area had been an eyesore for several years before demolition; former councillor Stephen Joseph saying at the time the flats scheme would fill “a great big ugly hole in the town centre that’s been there a long time now,” adding at the time: “The previous building was an eyesore.”
Back in 2021, site contractors WRW construction, which had a number of projects ongoing in Pembrokeshire, including building 33 affordable homes on the site of the former Johnston CP School, as well as work in Tiers Cross, was put into administration by its directors under what was described as, ‘significant financial stress’.
The latest application, submitted through agent DPP Planning, follows a public consultation earlier this year.
DPP Planning, in its consultation statement for the latest application, has previously said: “The council has now instructed W B Griffiths, a Pembrokeshire-based construction company, to develop the site subject to a number of changes.
“The main change is to increase the number of apartments on site to 24 to make best use of the site by increasing the availability of affordable homes for over-55s.”
In its new supporting statement, which references flats for the elderly, it says: “In March 2023, Pembrokeshire County Council re-tendered the scheme to a number of contractors based on the original scheme, but with a revised brief to increase the number of dwellings. This initiated a significant material amendment to the scheme. The new brief increased the number of apartments from 15 to 24 to be achieved within the footprint of the original scheme.”
It adds: “The design proposals aim to place a new building within Charles Street which respects the existing character of the street in terms of form, scale and materials, but which also delivers a building, which is immediately recognisable within the street through its design quality and the sense of place it creates.”
The application will be considered by planners at a later date.

News

Former Wales first minister Vaughan Gething will stand down at next election

Published

3 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

FORMER First Minister Vaughan Gething has confirmed that he will step down at the next election and does not intend to pursue a role in his successor’s cabinet.

The Cardiff South and Penarth MS stepped down from his role as First Minister in July after four of his cabinet ministers resigned. Speaking at a constituency event this evening, Mr. Gething informed party members that he will not seek re-election in 2026.

In a statement released tonight, Mr. Gething said: “The unwavering support of local members throughout my 13 years of representing them has been a significant source of strength, particularly during these recent months. I take pride in having worked alongside them since the late 1990s, first as a campaigner and then as a councillor before my election to the Senedd. I have always been mindful that the platform I hold in public life is built on the foundations of our movement.”

He added that he had informed First Minister Eluned Morgan of his decision not to seek a role in her upcoming cabinet reshuffle, which is expected soon.

“Eluned is an exceptional public servant, always putting the country first. We have collaborated for many years, and she deserves full support for her bold vision for both Wales and our party. I will continue to serve my constituency until 2026 and remain committed to advancing the causes of social justice that initially inspired my journey into public service.”

Reflecting on his career, he said, “As a Welshman born in Zambia, it has been a profound honour to serve in the Welsh Government for over a decade. The opportunity to make meaningful change alongside inspiring individuals and movements has been an immense privilege. It is something I will always hold dear.”

Mr. Gething’s resignation as First Minister came after 118 days in the position, with his departure finalized on August 6th, when Eluned Morgan was named as his successor. His tenure marked him as both the first black leader of Welsh Labour and the shortest-serving Welsh First Minister in the history of devolution.

The 50-year-old former lawyer has represented Cardiff South and Penarth since 2011 and held key roles, including Economy Minister and Health Minister, during the pandemic under Mark Drakeford’s administration.

First Minister Eluned Morgan expressed her gratitude, saying, “Vaughan Gething has made an indelible contribution to Wales during some of the most challenging times we’ve faced.

“From navigating us through the pandemic to securing critical investments like the semiconductor industry, Vaughan has consistently delivered results, advancing devolution in Wales.

“He has always been a team player, offering support and kindness to myself and others, even during moments of intense pressure. I have no doubt that Vaughan will continue to make a significant impact on our country in the future.

“Thank you, Vaughan, for everything you have done for Wales.”

News

Pembrokeshire crematorium megalith plans submitted

Published

5 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for an extension to Pembrokeshire’s Parc Gwyn Crematorium, with a new memorial garden featuring a stone megalith “in a more natural setting,” have been submitted to county planners.

Pembrokeshire County Council, which owns the existing Parc Gwyn Crematorium, near Narberth, is seeking permission for a change of use of adjacent agricultural land to a memorial garden, along with associated ancillary development including access, parking, an entrance canopy, two shelters, a megalith stone structure, seating, footways, bird nest box poles and landscaping.

A supporting statement accompanying the application states: “The proposal involves creating a garden designed with the objective of providing a nature-rich experience for those wishing to gather, reflect and remember. Seating areas, paths and contemplative zones are to be sensitively interspersed within a wildflower meadow and trees.

“The existing crematorium site is set amongst formally presented memorial gardens with large lawn areas, rockeries, trees and shrubs. With greater awareness of the nature emergency, it is anticipated that the demand for more natural settings in public services will increase. Therefore, by proactively providing a more natural memorial space, Pembrokeshire County Council is taking a long-term approach to green infrastructure provision.”

It adds: “The natural memorial garden would be an extension to the outdoor space currently available at the Parc Gwyn crematorium site, with provision for burial of ashes and memorials also provided.

“The provision of this space would see the transformation of an agricultural monoculture pasture to a setting in which nature is allowed to thrive. This would represent a diversification of opportunities for quiet reflection in a natural setting, better reflecting the different needs of those served by the Parc Gwyn site.

“The layout of the path network has been designed to allow different lengths of looped walks from the entrance point to the natural memorial garden. In addition to surfaced paths, there will also be mown paths within the meadow areas. By offering a range of options, the garden can cater for diverse user preferences and needs, enhancing the overall value and appeal.

“The structures within the garden (shelters, seating and memorials) are to be designed to fit with the setting of a natural garden. These are to be of natural materials (wood and stone) and rustic in style to blend into the landscape. The majority of the site is to remain as open space to preserve the natural character and provide ample room for memorial activities.”