Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Tulip Siddiq

Thursday 15th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Highgate) (Lab)]

Vincent Chan abused baby girls at a Bright Horizons nursery in my constituency for seven years. The Guardian has now revealed that three years before he was arrested, a complaint was made about him. It was investigated by Bright Horizons, overseen by Camden council, who cleared him and allowed him to return to work, where he continued to abuse little children until he was arrested. I have asked Camden council and Bright Horizons for the full documentation relating to the investigation that took place in 2021. Can we have a debate in Government time about strengthening the safeguarding practices in nurseries, particularly in the Bright Horizons chain? Ofsted has taken the unprecedented step of issuing two welfare requirement notices to the nurseries in that chain.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter again. She is doing an excellent job of keeping it at the forefront of our mind. The safeguarding of young children is our utmost priority. Over the summer, we have announced a range of measures to improve early years safeguarding. The Department for Education has established an expert advisory group on safeguarding, which is looking at the use of CCTV and digital devices in early years settings; it will report before Christmas. If she is seeking a meeting with the Department to get an update on these matters, I will help her to arrange one.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Tulip Siddiq

Thursday 5th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am sorry to say that the hon. Gentleman appears to be confused, because we have agreed that British bases can be used by the United States for limited and specific purposes of knocking out Iranian missile launches. This is defensive action—the purpose is to protect British lives in the region. This Prime Minister is absolutely committed to the defence of our allies in the region, and I would include other British overseas territories. When we talk about our national interests, we are talking about their interests, too.

[Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Highgate) (Lab)]

My constituent, Sanju Pal, who is watching from the Gallery today, fought and won a landmark case against her employer after she was unfairly dismissed when she was diagnosed with endometriosis. I wanted to mention Sanju’s case today, as we approach International Women’s Day, because I do not see her fight for justice as a victory just for herself—it is for the countless women across the country who talk about their medical health conditions in the workplace but are ignored. Not a single gynaecological condition is mentioned in the guidance on the Equality Act 2010. That is shameful. I ask the Leader of the House, who I know is a champion of women: can we have a debate in Government time to talk about the impact of endometriosis in the workplace and try to end this discrimination once and for all?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important and timely matter ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday. Too many women are still subject to a system that does not listen to their experience and does not understand their needs. Our renewed women’s health strategy will set out our longer-term vision, so that every woman gets the healthcare she deserves. My hon. Friend may wish to raise these matters with Ministers during the debate on International Women’s Day next week.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Tulip Siddiq

Thursday 22nd January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I will certainly draw the hon. Gentleman’s concerns to the attention of the relevant Minister. It is important that we make progress on this matter, and that does involve change, but it is also important that Members are kept up to date. I will get the hon. Gentleman an update.

[Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Highgate) (Lab)]

The House will be aware of the horrific case of sexual abuse that took place in one of my local nurseries. The parents involved, who have shown amazing resilience, feel very strongly that if the nursery had had CCTV, the perpetrator, Vincent Chan, would not have been able to get away with his horrific crimes for seven whole years. Will the Leader of the House help me to persuade the Government that we need mandatory CCTV in local nurseries, with secure local monitoring and restricted remote access for parents, in order to safeguard our children?