Dawn Butler appointed to succeed Sarah Champion as Shadow Equalities Minister
2 min read
Labour has appointed Dawn Butler as Shadow Women and Equalities Minister after Sarah Champion stood down from the role last month.
Ms Champion left the post following criticism over an article she wrote in the Sun claiming Britain "has a problem" with British-Pakistani men raping white girls.
In it, she said: "Britain has a problem with British Pakistani men raping and exploiting white girls. There. I said it. Does that make me a racist? Or am I just prepared to call out this horrifying problem for what it is?"
The article came after 17 men and one woman were convicted over the abuse of girls, some as young as 14, in Newcastle.
Ms Champion later apologised for her "extremely poor choice of words", while Jeremy Corbyn said the Rotherham MP was wrong to "label a whole community”.
Announcing the new appointment, the Labour leader said: "Dawn is a great champion for women, equality for all and our country's diverse communities.
“I look forward to working closely with her to advance our agenda of a truly equal society that works for the many not the few."
Ms Butler previously served as Shadow Minister for Diverse Communities before resigning in February in order to vote against the triggering of Article 50.
She was re-appointed to the post in June following the General Election.
On taking up her new role, she said: "I am honoured to accept this appointment and would like to thank Sarah Champion for all the hard work she has done in the role.
"Labour will tackle all forms of discrimination and the ways they interact.
"Equality is equality, you can't pick and choose. I have always fought for those who feel voiceless and I will fight to deliver real equality in our country."
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