Diana Johnson MP, Labour’s Shadow Crime & Security Minister, responding to calls from the retiring Director of Public Prosecutions’ for nurses and teachers be put under a legal duty to report allegations of child abuse said:

“We support professionals being put under a clear duty to report child abuse to make sure we stop this heinous crime at the earliest opportunity.

"We must take the call of the retiring Director of Public Prosecutions that nurses and teachers should be put under a legal duty to report allegations of child abuse very seriously. We must also examine whether all public service employees and others should be under a similar obligation.

"We know a  number of allegations were made about Jimmy Savile to professionals and no action was taken. More recently in the Daniel Pelka serious review case many professionals missed the opportunity to rescue the little boy from torture and starvation. It is now right to consider strengthening the law  to protect our children.

"Looking at the practical experience of countries which already operate such a system is important, as well as working with all the professional bodies to create  a better system of information-sharing and training.”