Tory MP Boris Johnson has argued that the ‘hysteria’ over child abuse is damaging boys’ education. ‘The whole CRB culture is out of control’, he said - noting that he was asked to get a CRB check to travel to support his son’s rugby team.

MPs privately encounter the problems with CRB checks and other child protection measures, in their everyday lives as parents or volunteers – yet these views don’t filter through to the floor of the House of Commons. Johnson voiced his criticisms at a conference for independent schools. Neither Johnson, nor any other MP, opposed the vetting Act on its smooth passage through Parliament.

The challenge is to make the spaces in political debate, so that private criticisms can become more public.