Green Party member suspended over father’s child sex offences
2 min read
A member of the Green Party has been suspended after her father acted as her election agent while facing a child rape charge.
Aimee Challenor, who has been in the running to become deputy leader of the party, has been suspended on a no-fault basis while an investigation takes place into how her father was able to act as her agent in the 2017 general election while facing serious sexual assault charges.
David Challenor, 50, was jailed last week after being found guilty of 20 offences including sexual assault, taking indecent photographs of a child, and the rape of a girl aged 10, who he held captive in his attic.
It was only after the girl confided in someone that Mr Challenor’s crimes came to light, and he was charged in November 2016.
"I am saddened to see circumstances have forced me away from the Greens at a crucial point for our party, though I remain fully committed to our shared Green values of environmental and social justice," Ms Challenor said. “I hope that the investigation is able to run efficiently, so that we can all move forward together."
Following Mr Challenor’s conviction, Ms Challenor, who was the Greens’ equalities spokesperson, has pulled out of the race to become deputy leader.
In a statement, the Green Party said: "An investigation will be conducted by an external agency into the circumstances and disclosures surrounding Aimee's father being able to act as her election agent while facing charges for serious sexual assault against a minor."
"We will be standing by Aimee throughout her no-fault suspension and closely following the investigation to ensure that difficult lessons are indeed learnt by the party," added Clare Lorraine Phipps, acting chair and secretary of Green Party Women.
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