MP Apologises Over Children Photo Consent Error

Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond has apologised after sending out a photograph of children to the media without the consent of their parents.

The image was also published on Mrs Drummond’s website and social media.

In an email to media outlets, Mrs Drummond said: “Due to a miscommunication, the photo I sent on Monday with this press release included children whose consent had not been given to the school by their parents. Please pull the photo and delete it, as I have from my website and social media.”

The press release that accompanied the photo told how Mrs Flick Drummond has welcomed Swanmore College students on a visit to the Houses of Parliament.

The 34 students and four teachers were met by Flick last Wednesday and she took them into the chamber of the House of Commons.

The group then went to a committee room for a Q&A session. Topics up for discussion included the NHS strikes and the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Act. Flick also took them into the public gallery and helped them follow the debate.

“It was a pleasure to have so many engaged and interested students up to parliament to see where and how our laws are made,” said Flick.

“I really enjoyed the Q&A session with questions and views that were well thought out and considered. The students are a credit to the school and the wider Meon Valley.

“I believe encouraging and helping our future generations understand how parliament works is incredibly important if we are to strengthen our democracy.”