MP: ‘Mermaids’ unfettered access to vulnerable children must be investigated’

A Conservative MP has called on the police to urgently investigate the activities of trans-activist group Mermaids.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, Miriam Cates highlighted the recent revelations over the group’s “serious safeguarding failures”, saying: “For years, despite whisteblowers raising alarm, Mermaids have had unfettered access to vulnerable children.”

She asked if Liz Truss agreed that “it has taken far too long for these concerns to be taken seriously” and that “it is high time for a police investigation into the activities of Mermaids and its staff?”

‘Harmful’

In response, the Prime Minister stated: “It’s very important that under 18s are able to develop their own decision making capabilities and not be forced into any kind of activity, and what I would say on the subject of the investigation she raises, of course those matters should be raised and should be properly looked at.”

Cates informed MPs that Mermaids “sent breast-flattening devices to young girls behind their parents’ back, promoted harmful medical and surgical procedures to children, hired a trustee with links to paedophile organisations and a digital engagement manager who posted pornographic images online”.

Last month, the Charity Commission launched an investigation into the group after it was revealed it had been sending chest binders to girls as young as 13 without their parents’ knowledge.

‘Horrified’

In Scotland, a mother of a gender-confused child told The Times that her family had been referred to Mermaids but became concerned of offers on its forum to send young people breast binders.

She explained: “The forum itself is pretty much a free-for-all and I think it fails the most basic of safeguarding standards and as a parent I was horrified by what young adolescents were exposed to behind their parents’ backs.”

The Scottish Government’s 2021 guidance, ‘Supporting transgender young people in schools’, still lists Mermaids as a resource and claims school staff should “allow a young person to decide for themselves about whether or not to wear a binder”.

A spokesman for the Government said it will consider whether to amend the guidance on the basis of the Charity Commission’s assessment of complaints.