The UK government has indicated that it will formally discuss potential reforms to age of consent laws following widespread public concern over cases involving prominent public figures. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden confirmed that the issue of a staggered age of consent is now under consideration as stories of abuse of power emerge across the entertainment sector. Adding: “[I] can’t tell you what the conclusion of that would be, but the last week has certainly put that up in lights, questions over a staggered age of consent have “been raised and will be discussed” McFadden said.
Current UK law allows adults of any age to engage in sexual relationships with individuals aged 16 and 17. According to stone, a child protection social worker,, 16 and 17 year-olds were seen as children in “every single framework of the law” and “we don’t believe [they are] old enough to consent to having sex with much older adults”.
However, calls for change have intensified following the recent criminal conviction of comedian Russell Brand. However, our focus has been on putting forward the best possible evidence.
Brand was sentenced to ten-and-a-half years in prison at Southwark Crown Court after being found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women between 2004 and 2009. At Southwark Crown Court on Monday, Brand was sentenced to 10-and-a-half-years imprisonment after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, involving four women between 2004 and 2009. He was acquitted of two counts of rape and one allegation of attempted indecent assault. According to one woman, She now characterises her alleged encounter with Walliams at 15 years old as a “sexual assault”.
Mia Latter, who has waived her anonymity, is among those campaigning for stricter regulations.
She alleges she was raped by the comedian when she was 16 and argues that while consensual relationships between teenagers should not be criminalized, adults in their thirties, forties, or fifties should face legal consequences for pursuing relationships with minors under 18. According to latter, She was 16 when she met the comedian, then 30. I don’t want to criminalise teenagers having sex with each other.
Latter also expressed frustration that she was excluded from the recent criminal trial, noting that police had allegedly referred to her case as the “Alice show,” a pseudonym usage the Metropolitan Police have since apologized for. It is understood the Met Police has apologised for the language officers used in a meeting with Latter about her case. We understand the delay has been distressing for this victim-survivor.
Official Comments and Proposed Legal Changes
- Pat McFadden: Stated that the abuse of power by powerful men has shed new light on existing protections and that a staggered age of consent will be discussed.
- Helen Whately: The shadow work and pensions secretary suggested that a debate is warranted, noting her own concerns as a parent regarding significant age gaps.
- Layla Stone: Founder of the Close the Consent Gap campaign, who advocates for prohibiting 16-year-olds from dating anyone over 19, and 17-year-olds from dating anyone over 20.
- NSPCC Stance: Anna Edmundson noted that 16 and 17-year-olds remain vulnerable to grooming and deserve protection, regardless of their legal age of consent.
The conversation has expanded beyond the case of Russell Brand.
Simultaneously, comedian David Walliams is facing allegations of sexual misconduct following reports from ITV News and the Guardian.
While Walliams has strongly denied any criminal activity, grooming, or sexual contact with minors, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Friday that they have launched an investigation into reports of “alleged serious sexual offences” linked to him. A Met spokesperson said: “This investigation remains ongoing.
The Metropolitan Police stated that their current investigation is distinct from the allegations published by media outlets but confirmed they are actively reviewing that reporting. Walliams has rejected all claims, maintaining his innocence regarding the allegations of inappropriate conduct during his time as a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. Latter is one of six women who made allegations against Brand in 2023 as part of a Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches investigation. She told the Sunday Times: “I think people were so struck by my story because of the age difference and the clear imbalance [in power].
Government officials acknowledge that the recent week of revelations has brought these systemic issues to the forefront. While ministers stopped short of outlining a specific legislative timeline, they emphasized that the current legal framework is being re-evaluated to better protect young people from potential exploitation by those in positions of power.
- According to whately, She has teenage daughters and would be concerned if they brought home a man many years older than them.
