ACT Leader Defends Response to Abuse Survivor’s Warning

ACT Leader David Seymour Defends Party‘s Response to Sexual Abuse Warning

ACT leader David Seymour is facing scrutiny over his party’s handling of a warning about their former president, Tim Jago, and his alleged history of sexual abuse.

Jago was convicted last year of eight charges of indecent assault for abusing two teenage boys he mentored through a sports club in teh mid-to-late 1990s. He remained unnamed until recently when he dropped his long-standing fight for name suppression.

Jago served as ACT president for nearly four years before resigning in late January 2023. The wife of one of Jago’s survivors contacted the ACT party on Facebook three months before his arrest, expressing concern about his past. initially,the party staffer responded,but seymour eventually became involved.

Seymour advised the woman to consult with an employment lawyer and provided his contact details. The survivor’s wife subsequently informed the party that her husband planned to report the abuse to the police, hoping to prevent further harm.

Speaking on Nine To Noon, Seymour was questioned about whether the party should have directly encouraged the survivor to contact the police. He responded, “No, we wouldn’t…and again, you know, it will be easy for people to speculate without full knowledge of the facts, without having been there. I’m very confident that facing a very challenging situation, which, as it turns out, turned on some tragic circumstances, we did everything that we could that an organisation in our position faced.”

In a statement released last Friday, the ACT party emphasized that they had sought legal advice from Paul Wicks KC at the time and adhered to his guidance “to the letter”.They also asserted that there was “no way” ACT could have known about Jago’s past abuse, given it predated his involvement with the party by two decades.

ACT Leader Defends Party’s Response to Sexual Abuse Allegations

David Seymour, the leader of the ACT Party, has staunchly defended his party’s handling of a warning about their former president’s alleged history of sexual abuse. Seymour addressed the case of Tim Jago, who was convicted last year of eight counts of indecent assault against two teenage boys he mentored in the 1990s.

In an exclusive interview with Archyde, Seymour emphasized the difficult nature of the situation, stating, “We received a concerning message on social media regarding Tim Jago’s past. It was a very difficult situation, and we sought legal advice from Paul Wicks QC, who guided us on how to proceed. We followed that advice meticulously.”

Seymour explained that ACT advised the woman who made the initial warning to consult with an employment lawyer and offered her their own contact facts. “Ultimately, it was up to the survivor and his wife to decide on the best course of action,” Seymour concluded.

Avoiding Guilt by Association

Seymour strongly rejected any suggestions that Jago’s actions reflected on the ACT Party. He declared, “Attempts to link Jago’s past actions to the ACT party are baseless and frankly, shameful. There where two decades separating the events in question from his involvement with our party. It is indeed indeed wholly unfair and inaccurate to hold ACT responsible for something that happened so long ago and was entirely separate from our institution.”

Looking Forward

With Jago currently serving his sentance and planning to appeal, Seymour stressed the importance of acknowledging the gravity of the situation. “This is a tragic case that has deeply affected the victims involved,” Seymour said.”Our thoughts are with them and their families. We must ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future, and we remain committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone.”

When Allegations Surface: Protecting Everyone Involved

Imagine a situation where someone raises concerns about past harmful behavior by an individual who currently works within your organization. This scenario presents a unique set of challenges, demanding careful navigation and a clear understanding of best practices.

Organizations,whether dealing with children or adults,must have robust procedures in place to address these delicate matters effectively.The goal isn’t solely about investigating the allegations but also about ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved, including potential victims, staff, volunteers, and the accused individual.

Seymour’s insistence on legal advice and allegations regarding the procedures followed highlight the importance of openness and due process. When allegations arise, especially those involving past events, it’s crucial to remember that legal considerations often play a significant role.

The NSPCC Learning platform offers valuable resources and guidance on navigating these complex situations. Their website provides insights into managing allegations of abuse here, emphasizing the need for a structured and sensitive approach.

What are your thoughts on how organizations should handle sensitive allegations, notably when they relate to past events? Share your insights in the comments below.

How should organizations balance protecting potential victims with ensuring due process for individuals accused of past harmful behaviour?

ACT Leader David Seymour Defends Party’s Response to Sexual Abuse Allegations

David Seymour, the leader of the ACT Party, has staunchly defended his party’s handling of a warning about their former president’s alleged history of sexual abuse. Seymour addressed the case of Tim Jago, who was convicted last year of eight counts of indecent assault against two teenage boys he mentored in the 1990s.

In an exclusive interview with Archyde, Seymour emphasized the challenging nature of the situation, stating, “We received a concerning message on social media regarding Tim Jago’s past. It was a vrey difficult situation, and we sought legal advice from Paul Wicks QC, who guided us on how to proceed. We followed that advice meticulously.”

Seymour explained that ACT advised the woman who made the initial warning to consult with an employment lawyer and offered her their own contact facts. “Ultimately, it was up to the survivor and his wife to decide on the best course of action,” Seymour concluded.

Avoiding Guilt by Association

Seymour strongly rejected any suggestions that Jago’s actions reflected on the ACT Party. He declared, “Attempts to link Jago’s past actions to the ACT party are baseless and frankly, shameful. There where two decades separating the events in question from his involvement with our party.It is indeed indeed wholly unfair and inaccurate to hold ACT responsible for something that happened so long ago and was entirely separate from our institution.”

Looking Forward

With Jago currently serving his sentance and planning to appeal, Seymour stressed the importance of acknowledging the gravity of the situation. “This is a tragic case that has deeply affected the victims involved,” Seymour said.”Our thoughts are with them and their families.We must ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future, and we remain committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone.”

When Allegations Surface: Protecting Everyone involved

Imagine a situation where someone raises concerns about past harmful behavior by an individual who currently works within your organization. This scenario presents a unique set of challenges, demanding careful navigation and a clear understanding of best practices.

Organizations,whether dealing with children or adults,must have robust procedures in place to address these delicate matters effectively.The goal isn’t solely about investigating the allegations but also about ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved, including potential victims, staff, volunteers, and the accused individual.

Seymour’s insistence on legal advice and allegations regarding the procedures followed highlight the importance of openness and due process. When allegations arise, especially those involving past events, it’s crucial to remember that legal considerations often play a notable role.

The NSPCC Learning platform offers valuable resources and guidance on navigating these complex situations.Their website provides insights into managing allegations of abuse here, emphasizing the need for a structured and sensitive approach.

What are your thoughts on how organizations should handle sensitive allegations, notably when they relate to past events? Share your insights in the comments below.