Shaun Bailey criticised for ‘victim blaming’ girls in comments on domestic violence

The Conservative mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has been criticised for past comments suggesting girls should “accept less of men’s rubbish” to avoid domestic violence, which Labour described as victim blaming.

In the newly unearthed comments Bailey says that ending domestic violence “starts with girls” and suggests men’s behaviour is highly dependent on impressing women.

The remarks, in an archived post on the Conservative Women’s Organisation website, were made at an event on gang culture when Bailey was a parliamentary candidate for Hammersmith. The article appears to have since been removed from the website.

The report of Bailey’s comments says he told the group that men would “always be involved in violence” but “the repair starts with girls, because if you could get girls to accept less of men’s rubbish then men would have to change because ultimately men are after a girl. Men’s behaviour is affected by what he feels it is to be a man and what he feels will impress a girl”.

Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton, said the comment was victim blaming. “Someone with Bailey’s hard right attitudes should simply never have the opportunity to lead a city that counts more than 4 million women and girls among its population,” she said.

“His long history of talking women down is completely at odds with London’s open, modern and progressive values.”

The Tory candidate, who is trailing in the polls to the Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan, was also recently criticised for a tweet that appeared to try to capitalise on the killing of Sarah Everard, saying he would “deliver for the safety of women and girls” if elected in May.

A campaign spokesperson for Bailey said: “Once again Labour are taking old comments out of context. Shaun’s point, emphasised repeatedly, was that the only way to end domestic violence is to change the behaviour of men – exactly what women are saying, not to mention Sadiq Khan.

“If Labour want to talk about the issues, then let’s start with Sadiq Khan’s admission that London isn’t safe for women and girls. While Sadiq Khan offers just words, Shaun Bailey has a plan: 1,000 more police to tackle violence against women and girls, 24/7 foot patrols in dangerous areas, and more CCTV across the transport network to catch perpetrators.”

Bailey has experienced a series of criticisms over past articles and comments. He was challenged for suggesting teenage mothers pushed people who “do the right thing” down the housing ladder, telling the Sun that teenage pregnancy was disadvantaging other housing claimants.

He has been dogged by news stories detailing previous comments about teen pregnancy, single mothers and welfare, including from 2005, when he said “a culture of dependency rules the working class”.

The Conservative candidate has also made a series of controversial comments during the campaign, including suggesting homeless Londoners could save up a £5,000 deposit for a mortgage.