Mina Smallman says PM must act on Simon Levy case failings

Smallman also wants more action to tackle the root causes of misogyny, which she says is driving the violence.

“Our young men and teenage boys are being radicalised,” she said. “They’re being given this lie about femininity and what it is to be a real man.

“Because of social media, they are connecting with people all over the world who are angry and frustrated, and they’re being manipulated by people who are dangerous. I see them as terrorists.

“It should be treated like terrorism.”

A government spokesperson said the Simon Levy case was “horrifying” and “raises serious questions”.

“It is right that the IOPC [Independent Office for Police Conduct] is investigating, and the organisations involved are conducting internal reviews. Any failures must be identified and never repeated,” they said.

They added that it was a “top priority” to protect the public.

“Rape, serious child sexual abuse and grooming offences are already blocked from upcoming changes to prison sentences, and we are fast-tracking a plan to keep more of the most dangerous offenders behind bars,” they said.

Smallman’s fear is that once headlines about Levy disappear, then authorities can move on, leaving victims to fight for change.

“Unless the families keep their foot on the gas pedal, it slips away. We all have the same motive – we all don’t want this to happen to another family,” she said.

Reflecting on her initial reaction to the case, she says it had caused her to respond as “a wounded mother” rather than her usual “calm and focused” approach.

“But I’m glad in some ways,” she adds. “I’m sick of being measured. Something needs to change and it needs to change now.”

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