By Steven Smith
My God, what sort of world are we living in?
As friends, colleagues and associates scramble like rats from a sinking ship to distance themselves from David Walliams and Russell Brand, I find myself asking a rather uncomfortable question: have we become so obsessed with celebrity scandals that we are losing sight of the bigger picture?
Let me be absolutely clear. Russell Brand has been convicted of appalling sexual offences, while David Walliams faces serious allegations that he denies. Every victim deserves to be heard, every allegation properly investigated and every guilty individual held accountable, regardless of fame, fortune or influence.
But where is the same relentless attention when it comes to the grooming gangs that have destroyed the lives of countless vulnerable children across Britain?
Where are the daily headlines demanding justice for the young girls, and indeed boys, who have been groomed, raped, exploited and, in far too many cases, failed by the very authorities entrusted with protecting them?
We know that some of these organised grooming networks involved men of Pakistani heritage. That is an uncomfortable fact which must be examined honestly, without turning an entire community into scapegoats. Equally, nobody should be afraid of being branded racist for reporting genuine concerns about child sexual exploitation.
Protecting children must come before protecting reputations, political careers or institutional embarrassment.
I know someone whose niece was groomed. This is not simply another horrifying headline to me. It is something that has touched people I know personally. Yet where was the publicity surrounding her ordeal? Where was the public outrage? People ask me sometime why my friend is angry ? I say ” It’s like this if your child was brunt alive or raped murdered you would never forgive who did it ” so thats why they are angry/
We cannot pretend these crimes are not happening simply because the perpetrators are not famous.
And while Westminster debates, ministers make promises and political parties trade accusations, I want to know what is actually being done.
What is happening to the victims? Are they receiving proper psychological support? Are the authorities pursuing those responsible? And will those who ignored warnings ever be held accountable?
Then there are our homeless veterans.
Men and women who served this country, sometimes risking their lives, only to find themselves struggling for somewhere safe to sleep. Surely Britain owes them more than warm words. There should be zero homeless veterans , if we can home migrants in Paddington with a gym and a pool we sure can make the brave men and woman safe and comfortable not just for the winter but for good .
I want to see headlines about getting veterans into permanent homes. I want serious investment in policing, mental health services and safer streets.
I want women to feel safe walking home at night. I want children protected from predators and elderly people to feel secure in their own neighbourhoods.
And yes, I believe foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes should face deportation wherever the law permits, with proper due process and safeguards. Coming to Britain should never mean escaping accountability.
None of this should be controversial.
Britain has become extraordinarily good at public outrage, celebrity cancellations and political point-scoring. What we desperately need is the same passion directed towards solving the problems affecting ordinary people.
Of course, expose celebrity wrongdoing. Of course, demand justice for victims.
But let us stop confusing headlines with meaningful action.
I do not want another carefully rehearsed speech from a politician telling us how seriously they take these issues.
I want results.
Because behind every forgotten victim, every homeless veteran and every frightened child is a real human being whose life matters every bit as much as the latest celebrity scandal.
And surely, in a supposedly civilised society, that should be our greatest priority.
