A Conservative MP has been asked by one of his district commissioners not to attend a Boy Scout event lest his non-political message be “tarnished by recent controversial incidents and policies”.
As Wrexham’s Sarah Atherton spoke in the House of Commons, a Tory backbencher could be heard saying Scout movement leader Robert Baden-Powell was “turning in his grave”.
Commons leader Mark Spencer said he was “disappointed” to hear Ms Atherton’s comments, saying the Scouts were an apolitical organization and had traditionally not meddled in politics.
In response, a Scout spokesman later said: “Scout groups are a reflection of the communities in which they operate.
“Scouting does not endorse any single political party and regularly works with representatives across the political spectrum.”
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