12/11/2025
Clive Hammond
The Government has indicated it could introduce a child cruelty register, which would operate in the same way as the sex offenders register, and mean that anyone convicted of the crime would have to sign it.
The possible move comes amid a campaign from a mother with terminal cancer, Paula Hudgell, whose adopted son was badly abused by his birth parents.
Justice Secretary David Lammy said his ministerial colleague Alex Davies-Jones had met with Ms Hudgell on Tuesday and Labour was eager to back her proposal.
Ms Hudgell has been campaigning for a register which would work in the same way as the sex offenders register. It would mean anyone convicted of the crime would have to sign it.
It is hoped this would stop cases, like that affecting her 11-year-old boy Tony.
He had to have his legs amputated as a result of abuse from his birth parents Anthony Smith and Jody Simpson, who were jailed for 10 years in 2018. They were both recently released.
Tony has since been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the prevention of child abuse.
Ms Hudgell welcomed Mr Lammy’s comments as “great news” after his comments, and she thanked both Mr Lammy and Ms Davies-Jones.
In the Commons, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Currently if a child sex offender is released from prison, the police and probation service can track them on the sex offender register.
“But if a child abuser is released from prison, the authorities have no register to track them with. There is a glaring gap in the system.”
Mr Jenrick said the terminal cancer diagnosis had given Ms Hudgell a “fire in her belly”.
“Paula is truly inspirational,” he continued: “We’re backing her campaign. Will the Secretary of State take our amendment or bring forward his own, and get this change over the line for Paula, for Tony, and to protect children now and into the future.”
The Conservatives previously tried to introduce the measure as an amendment to the Government’s Sentencing Bill. It was voted down by MPs, including Labour.
Mr Lammy said: “I’m very grateful to the right honourable gentleman for raising this issue.
“I can tell him that the minister for victims met with Paula today and we are keen to support her campaign.”
Ms Hudgell said: “It has been a long and challenging journey to reach this point, and I am deeply grateful to all those who have supported this campaign.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to justice minister Alex Davies-Jones for our meeting this morning, and to Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy for his keen support for the campaign for a child cruelty register, and to everyone who continues to engage constructively on this vital issue.
“My sole aim has always been to ensure greater protection for every child, so that no one else has to endure what Tony suffered.”