Labour MPs Threaten Rebellion Over Step-Incest Porn Ban Exclusion
Sir Keir Starmer's government is facing a significant rebellion from within its own ranks as female Labour MPs prepare to challenge the exclusion of step-incest depictions from the proposed online pornography ban. Sky News has learned that a substantial number of parliamentarians are ready to defy party leadership if the government fails to address this contentious issue.
The Bertin Amendment and Parliamentary Battles
The controversy centers on an amendment proposed by Conservative peer Baroness Gabby Bertin, which calls for the inclusion of step-incest content in the broader pornography ban. Last week, the House of Lords narrowly backed this amendment by 144 votes to 143, setting the stage for a potential Commons showdown. The amendment forms part of Baroness Bertin's comprehensive review of harmful online content, commissioned by the previous Conservative administration.
This review identified 32 critical recommendations, including bans on degrading, violent, and misogynistic material that remains accessible online despite being prohibited offline. The government has already committed to banning strangulation pornography, which the review found was establishing dangerous sexual norms, and has included provisions against possessing or publishing incestuous pornographic images in the Crime and Policing Bill.
The Government's Legal Dilemma
Justice Minister Baroness Levitt has articulated the government's position, explaining that while step-relationships are "controversial," they are "not illegal in real life." This legal distinction presents what ministers regard as a key complication in enforcement. Government sources indicate ongoing efforts to navigate this complex issue, with officials working to develop an effective response to the amendments while maintaining legal coherence.
However, Labour MPs challenging this position argue that the government's reasoning "doesn't pass the sniff test." One senior parliamentarian highlighted disturbing statistics, noting that "half of all sexual abuse cases against children are perpetrated by step-parents." This MP emphasized that "once you are arguing about the detail you have lost the plot, it's the principle" that matters most.
Growing Pressure on Starmer's Leadership
The potential rebellion comes at a delicate time for Sir Keir Starmer, who has made halving violence against women and girls (VAWG) one of his government's central missions. The Labour leadership faces particular scrutiny from female MPs following recent scandals involving Peter Mandelson and Matthew Doyle, alongside broader concerns about a perceived "boys club" culture in Number 10.
Another Labour MP described the situation as "more cockup than reasoning," suggesting the government supports the ban in principle but "took their eye off the ball" regarding implementation details. Despite the tension, this MP expressed optimism that "we will get to the right place" through continued negotiation.
Broader Legislative Context
The pornography ban debate occurs within the wider framework of the Crime and Policing Bill, which has faced significant parliamentary challenges. Peers have already inflicted six defeats on the government, including rejecting provisions that would have banned adult pornography styled to look like child content. Meanwhile, parliamentarians have agreed to government-backed measures making it a criminal offence to screenshot or copy intimate images without consent, even when shared temporarily.
A government spokesperson emphasized the urgency of these reforms, stating: "Online abuse against women and girls has developed at a terrifying pace over the last decade, and the law needs to adapt. That's why we are determined to tackle dangerous and degrading pornography, part of our goal to halve violence against women and girls within a decade."
The spokesperson added that officials are "actively and constructively working across government to develop an effective response to these amendments to deliver on that" commitment. As the bill undergoes further scrutiny in the Lords, both Houses must reach consensus on the final draft before it can become law, setting the stage for continued political negotiations and potential parliamentary confrontations.
