Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Apsana Begum

Thursday 12th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I genuinely wish the young man well. Before we get to a debate, should the hon. Lady raise with me the details of this case, I will take it up with the appropriate Department and see if we can get some progress.

[Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab)]

In September last year, I hosted survivors and victims of the so-called gossip website Tattle Life, and we heard the absolutely harrowing testimonies of those who have been targeted by sustained and escalating online harassment, stalking and abuse by its users, with many people driven to feel suicidal. There has been extensive coverage of this issue by the broadcast media, including “Good Morning Britain” and ITV’s “Lorraine”.

I raise this matter because, on Sunday, 16-year-old Prin Dickson died by suicide after facing escalating and intensifying harassment on this dangerous website. Many colleagues and I have called on Ofcom to listen to our concerns and to take down the website. On Monday, we wrote to Ofcom again, but four days on from Prin’s suicide, this website is still live, and users are now discussing her suicide and abusing her bereaved mum. Can the Leader of the House ensure that there is an urgent intervention by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to ensure that Ofcom uses all its powers to take down the site and prevent any further tragedy? Can he also ensure that time is provided to debate the Online Safety Act 2023 and failures to safeguard women and children online?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

What my hon. Friend describes is entirely unacceptable. Although I think the Department that deals with Ofcom will have heard her concerns, I will draw her question to its attention because this appears to be a matter of urgency. On the wider issue of children’s safety, the Government are announcing a consultation on social media, and I hope she will raise some of her concerns through that.