Home Secretary Priti Patel has rejected pleas from two Labour frontbenchers to attend a key domestic abuse summit tomorrow. The Government is hosting a virtual “Hidden Harms” conference to bring together representatives from charities, police and the courts systems to plan a fresh crackdown on abuse in the home, which has soared during the coronavirus lockdown, according to charities.
Last month, campaigners said at least 16 suspected domestic abuse killings took place between March 23 and April 12, after Covid-19 restrictions were imposed.
Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds asked if he and Shadow Domestic Abuse Minister Jess Phillips could join the online summit.