Ruth Kelly statement shows Government too slow to act over Soham Enquiry says Lib Dem

2.00.00pm GMT Thu 19th Jan 2006

"Clearly the Government must allay the fears of parents"

Speaking on BBC Radio Northampton this lunchtime, Lib Dem Councillor Andrew Simpson has accused the Government of acting too slowly in dealing with improving the vetting of people working in schools.

"It's been over 18 months since the Soham enquiry and yet still the Government has not confirmed how many of the 31 recommendations have been introduced and now we have Ruth Kelly panicked into making a statement in the Commons. Clearly the Government must allay the fears of parents and make clear that they intend to over hall the system and make it water tight" said Andrew

"Parents are right to be concerned about news that sex offenders could be given positions working with children, and you have to ask why Tony Blair cannot answer how many of the recommendations recommenmdations after Soham have been implemented, and why it will take three years for the Police computer to link with that at the Dept of Education. The Government has been too slow to act after the terrible events in Soham in 2004".