Children's minister urged to resign

Thursday, 13 November 2003 12:00 AM

The minister for children is facing fresh calls for her resignation after a sex abuse whistleblower threatened to sue her for libel.

Margaret Hodge is alleged to have labelled Demetrious Panton, a consultant advising the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, as "extremely disturbed" in a letter to the BBC.

Mrs Hodge wrote to BBC chairman Gavyn Davies complaining of a "concerted campaign" against her.

The letter pertained to inquiries into a child abuse incident in Islington, north London during the time when Mrs Hodge was council leader between 1982 and 1992.

She wrote that Mr Panton was "an extremely disturbed person who suffered from child abuse in Islington homes in his youth in the 1960s, 20 years before I became leader of the council."

She also accused Today programme reporter Angus Stickler of 'sensationalism' by using her name in the story.

In a statement she said: "Since becoming children's minister in June, Angus Stickler and the Today programme have been constantly telephoning friends and colleagues to dig up details of events which happened between ten and 20 years ago.

"They have tried and failed to substantiate my involvement in this case when I was leader."

He told London's Evening Standard: "Margaret Hodge has defamed me as a human being and as a professional. I have never been sectioned under any mental health legislation. I have never been to my doctors for clinical depression.

"I have no convictions, and I do not have a criminal record.

"Hodge has plainly libelled me."

The prime minister's official spokesman said Mrs Hodge had the full confidence of Tony Blair.

Tim Yeo, the Conservatives' health spokesman said the "smear" campaign against Mr Panton had rendered her position "untenable."

He said: "The truth is this is little more than a desperate attempt to deflect attention away from a failing children's minister who should not be in her job."

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