𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A Liberal Democrat MP has voiced her concerns regarding non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), expressing her hope that they will be prohibited before September. This follows the conviction of disgraced comedian Russell Brand, who was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison for one count of rape and three sexual assaults against four separate women.

On BBC Question Time last night, the opening topic of discussion centred on safeguarding women from men in positions of power. After comedian and podcaster Deborah Frances-White recounted her harrowing experience with a man at a showbiz Christmas party, the panel debated how women and girls can be better shielded from powerful men.

Fiona Bruce hosted an hour of debate from Exeter, featuring politicians, commentators and members of the public. The panel comprised: defence minister Luke Pollard representing the government; Conservative shadow AI minister Ben Spencer; Liberal Democrat Layla Moran; Matt Goodwin from Reform UK; and comedian and podcaster Deborah Frances-White.

Following Deborah Frances-White’s account of her shocking encounter with a “high profile man” at a showbiz Christmas party, Lib Dem Layla Moran addressed the issue of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Addressing the broader matter of safeguarding women from powerful men in the entertainment industry Moran said: “I would love to tell you that it is just this industry but we know full well it isn’t.”

She added: “At the moment it is still possible to have non-disclosure agreements that are silencing these victims, these are still possible to do. The government has agreed to ban them. It’s not enforced yet but I hope that they will do it sooner than later – they say September, I think they can go earlier.”

She concluded: “We cannot have people being paid off, women’s silence, should not and cannot be bought.”

Deborah’s experience

Deborah Frances-White recounted her experience attending a major showbusiness Christmas party as a plus one. She said: “A high profile man, a famous man, who runs in the same circles as those who have been in the news in the last couple of weeks did a turn around the room walked past me, put his face into my cleavage and moved his head back and forth, in the manor that some men call ‘motoboating’, unpleasantly.

“And he just kept walking. And he just didn’t introduce himself, there was no flirtation, nothing. He just kept going like I was a vending machine and I just was so shocked.”

She added: “I knew full-well if I made a complaint I would be asked to leave the party, there’s no question.”

She continued to describe how “he came around again and put his tongue in my mouth, he never said a single word to me.”

Deborah recounted how she informed someone at the gathering about his behaviour and, reflecting on the episode, said: “It’s kind of a weird sticky feeling that stays with you but I don’t feel massively traumatised, but many women would and especially if someone has been assaulted before it would be extremely triggering.”

Fiona Bruce questioned whether Deborah believed the problem extended beyond the entertainment industry, to which she responded: “It is wider, but the thing about fame is ‘the talent is the product is the money’.”

She concluded: “We need to make it more expensive to harbour predators.”

Here’s what other panelists had to say….

Matt Goodwin, Reform MP, said: “I think it’s important we acknowledge the bravery and the courage of the women who have spoken up and spoken out about these particular cases. I feel conflicted because this is a politics debating panel but I think if we try and score political points on this issue you sort of further disrespect the victims by doing it.”

Deborah subsequently challenged Matt regarding his endorsement of Robert Kenyon, to which Matt responded: “This is not about Reform UK this is about a problem that is endemic in our society.”

He added: “Everybody in this studio and watching at home knows that actually the issue is much broader than one political party.”

Deborah asked Matt: “Do you agree with Nigel Farage that this is how all men banter all the time?” Matt replied: “No I don’t, that’s not my view.”

Luke Pollard, defence minister, said: “This is a really important moment this week, it’s a watershed moment where someone rich and powerful when a system was designed to protect them was held accountable for their actions. I think there is a temptation and risk here where if we view it as a bad apple… that we will be letting down not just the victims of Russell Brand and so many others but people in every single workplace in the country where any form of power can be used to intimidate, to abuse people.”