25 February 2010 – Tim Loughton Keynote Address (Extract)

Final Memorial for Victoria Adjo Climbié / 10th Anniversary

Can I first say how welcome you are here today at Westminster? I usually start such speeches by saying how delighted I am to be here. But in this case that would be misleading and a great understatement.

The fact that we are here at all, and that so many people have taken an interest in the importance of today‘s anniversary is tinged with sadness reminding us all as it does of the huge tragedy that gave rise to the Victoria Climbie Foundation. And whatever details people know about the actual events of more than ten years ago and what has happened since, the name of Victoria Climbie resonates with millions in this country as representing one of the worst examples of the incredible cruelty human beings can inflict on another innocent vulnerable human being. But the Victoria Climbie Foundation has been at the forefront of leading the crusade against such cruelty, and so we should put aside our sadness to celebrate the terrific work that they have accomplished over recent years.

So I am deeply honoured, and also deeply humbled to be asked to give this memorial address here today and to be able to host this important event at Westminster. I remember well the horrific trail of events that unfurled during the trial that saw the convictions of Marie-Therese Kouao and Carl John Manning back in January 2001 that then led to the appointment of Herbert Laming (who we miss here today and send our good wishes), to head up what became known as the Victoria Climbie Inquiry. If was as a relatively new Shadow Minister responsible for children‘s issues that I listened to the findings of the Laming Report when announced to Parliament in January 2003, and which has been so fundamental to everything I have done as regards child safeguarding issues in my role as Shadow Children‘s Minister ever since, and which has influenced so much Government legislation. I can hardly believe that it was over 7 years ago now.

Virtually every decade one poor child becomes the iconic face of child abuse in this country. It was Victoria‘s miserable fate to be that child in 2000 and for 10 years her death has been squarely in the minds of all the many campaigners, politicians, journalists and parents who have tried to make sense of child protection, to analyse it, and to improve it. Today is a day to pay tribute to the efforts and determination of all of those, of all political persuasions and none, who have accepted this challenge to make Britain safer for the most vulnerable people in our society. Few groups deserve higher praise than the Victoria Climbie Foundation itself.

Since 2003 they have campaigned tirelessly to keep child protection at the forefront of political debate, challenging accepted truths, promoting good practice and fostering new ideas. But their work has not been limited to putting pressure on mere politicians. They have offered advice and advocacy for children, parents and carers, support for communities and for statutory agencies. They have tackled the thorny and frightening issue of child abuse linked to witchcraft and have helped strengthen the capacity of African communities in London. And of course, they have funded and built the enduring monument that is the Centre D’ Education Primaire Victoria Adjo Climbie in the Ivory Coast.

On behalf of everyone here today, and of every child who has been helped by your work and of all those who will benefit from the Foundation‘s legacy in the years to come, thank you. You have helped set us on the right path. That path, as you know too well, and has not been easy, nor is it yet.

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