The proposed legal changes would introduce a staggered age of consent to criminalize sexual relationships between older adults and teenagers aged 16 or 17. Louise Haigh, the de facto deputy prime minister, confirmed the government will scrutinize Latter's account alongside broader calls from Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Jess Brown-Fuller. The debate emerges while Brand serves a 10-and-a-half-year prison sentence for separate rape and sexual assault convictions. Ministers are also considering a complete ban on non-disclosure agreements in harassment matters following separate allegations concerning David Walliams.
Key points
Government officials are reviewing whether to establish a staggered age of consent to pre…: Government officials are reviewing whether to establish a staggered age of consent to prevent adults from pursuing teenagers.
Current United Kingdom legislation permits adults of any age to engage in legal sexual ac…: Current United Kingdom legislation permits adults of any age to engage in legal sexual activity with 16- and 17-year-olds.
Opposition figures support revising consent statutes to better reflect significant age ga…: Opposition figures support revising consent statutes to better reflect significant age gaps and inherent power imbalances.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
The government has said it will consider calls to change the age of consent after a woman waived her right to anonymity to publicly claim she was raped by Russell Brand as a 16-year-old schoolgirl.
Mia Latter, now 37, alleged she had been orally raped by the jailed comedian when she was a teenager and he was 30 years old.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, she called for the introduction of a staggered age of consent – which would make relationships between adults and teenagers aged 16 and 17 illegal.
Louise Haigh, the de facto deputy prime minister, told the newspaper that Latter’s “heart-breaking story” meant a law change deserved consideration.
She said: “We need to listen to Mia and other victims like her who have been through these experiences because it’s really important that as lawmakers their experience is at the heart of what we consider.
“It clearly would be a massive step to change the age of consent, but it deserves proper consideration and scrutiny. I can absolutely understand why she is calling for it.”
Rival factions are actively racing to assemble a governing coalition following an inconclusive national election that left the Knesset without a clear majority. The opposition argues that current leadership is using disingenuous negotiation appeals to stall the establishment of an alternative administration and halt parliamentary leadership changes. Resolving the deadlock now hinges on whether competing blocs can unite while navigating strict conditions regarding extremist participation.
Allied military units defending Yemen’s recognized government successfully brought down an unmanned aircraft that had been launched by Houthi forces toward target zones within the kingdom. Official statements confirmed the hostile aerial asset was neutralized before it could complete its flight over the territorial airspace. The ongoing defensive operation highlights continuous efforts by regional security personnel to eliminate airborne threats originating from Yemeni combatants.
The targeted drone operation coordinated by Israeli forces and the Shin Bet eliminated Rafah brigade leader Samir Abu Younis. The strike hit a tent in the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, an overcrowded coastal zone previously designated as safe for displaced Palestinians. The incident adds to mounting civilian perils in southern Gaza, where severe winter weather and relentless bombardments continue to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.