Phillipson lambasted for accusing Tories of 'weaponising' violence against women as she rejects Piddington visit

From the Newshound archive · first published 26 September 2026 · last updated 27 September 2026.

Bridget Phillipson has rejected a Tory invitation to visit Piddington, Oxfordshire, where 1,256 male illegal migrants are due at a nearby camp and local women have written to her directly about their safety fears. Shadow equalities secretary Joy Morrissey, who visited the village with Kemi Badenoch, also asked Phillipson to meet grooming gang victims — and was turned down. Phillipson, who chairs the Labour Party, had accused Farage and Badenoch of 'weaponising' violence against women for 'political point-scoring' rather than addressing what she calls a national emergency.

Piddington recently held a symbolic vote for independence from the UK in protest at the planned migrant camp nearby.

Morrissey called Phillipson's refusal 'petty', saying the offer to work together on women's safety had been thrown back in their faces.

Phillipson said the Tories and Reform are 'only interested in talking about women's safety when it relates to immigration or asylum.'