Ken Macdonald said there had been past reluctance to look into Muslim men who had been targeting white girls. <\/p>\n
But speaking on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, Lord MacDonald said that was no longer the case after recent prosecutions. <\/p>\n
The Liberal Democrat peer's comments come after 18 people were convicted of or admitted offences in a series of trials related to child sexual exploitation in Newcastle. <\/p>\n
He said: \"I think there has been in the past a reluctance to investigate a category of crime that people might believe attaches to a particular community in circumstances where men may be targeting young women. <\/p>\n
SKY NEWSBBC <\/p>\n
I don't think any of us can pretend that in the past these cases have been examined as rigorously as they might have been <\/p>\n
Lord Macdonald <\/p>\n
Presenter John Humphrys cut in to clarify which part of the community he was referring to. <\/p>\n
He said: In other words, we're talking about - by and large - Muslim men who have been targeting white girls?\" <\/p>\n
Lord Macdonald replied: \"Yes, exactly.\" <\/p>\n
Mr Humphrys then asked if political correctness had interfered with the course of justice. <\/p>\n
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Lord Macdonald reiterated cases has not been looked into as they should have been. <\/p>\n
He said: I think that's no longer the case and I think the fact that these sorts of cases are now being brought successfully demonstrates that those sorts of so-called taboos no longer exist - but I don't think any of us can pretend that in the past these cases have been examined as rigorously as they might have been.\" <\/p>\n
He added he hoped attitudes towards young women in these cases had changed. <\/p>\n
He said: There's obviously a serious issue about the way young women are regarded in these cases. <\/p>\n
Regarded as trash, regarded as available for sex, and this seems to be a recurring theme - and I don't think anyone thinks now we've got it. <\/p>\n
\"This is a major problem, it's a major problem in particular communities and it has to be confronted not just by law enforcement but by communities themselves.\" <\/p>\n
Lord Macdonald said he expected more cases and added he was sure there were ongoing investigations. <\/p>\n
He said: \"I think it's a real wake-up call for communities. Not all sex crime takes place in a single community, ofcoursewe knowthat,that's obvious. <\/p>\n
\"But there is a particular issue about some men in some communities who feel these young girls are trash who are available for sex. <\/p>\n
\"We all knowthat,we've seenitin this case, we've seen it in other cases, we know it's going on as we speak. <\/p>\n
\"Law enforcement has a response, the police have a response, prosecutors have a response, judges have a response, but communities need a response themselves.\" <\/p>\n
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Read the original:<\/p>\n
Asian grooming gangs NOT PROBED due to 'political correctness ... - Express.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ken Macdonald said there had been past reluctance to look into Muslim men who had been targeting white girls. Continue reading