Oxford Paedophile Ring: Former Labour MP Ann Cryer Blames 'Cultural Practices' From Pakistan

Former Labour MP Blames Oxford Grooming On 'Cultural Practices' From Pakistan
Two sets of brothers, Akhtar and Anjum Dogar, and Mohammed and Bassam Karrar, were convicted
Two sets of brothers, Akhtar and Anjum Dogar, and Mohammed and Bassam Karrar, were convicted
PA

A former Labour MP has blamed the Oxford paedophile ring on "cultural practices" that have been "imported" from Pakistan.

Ann Cryer was criticised after drawing parallels with the abuse in Oxford and what she claimed was the Pakistani attitude towards women.

Seven men were found guilty of a catalogue of offences after the Old Bailey heard how the vulnerable schoolgirls were plucked from the streets and care homes to be drugged, raped and sold into prostitution.

Two sets of brothers, Akhtar Dogar, 32, and Anjum Dogar, 31, and Mohammed Karrar, 38, and Bassam Karrar, 33, were convicted along with Kamar Jamil, 27, Assad Hussain, 32, and Zeeshan Ahmed, 27.

Five of the men were of British Pakistani origin, and two were from North Africa.

Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Sara Thornton warned about making generalisations about the men's background, saying similar abuse can happen "across the community."

But Cryer, who has campaigned on child grooming issues, said: "It's cultural practices that have been imported into this country from Pakistan and we must not lose sight of that fact.

"We can't just turn a blind eye to it."

Speaking on a BBC Five Live phone-in, Cryer claimed there was a "very paternalistic culture in Pakistan," saying not many women had voted in the recent elections there.

She went on to claim that Pakistani communities in the North of England had "imported the view that women are not worth much and therefore they do not care too much about what happens to them."

Her views were criticised by the next caller, who said: "It's shocking that you could demonise an entire culture with the behaviour of a few evil individuals from that culture."

There was also a backlash on Twitter, with many users criticising presenter Nicky Campbell for failing to challenge her.

Close

What's Hot