Sam Gould, a senior aide to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, has been suspended from the Labour Party and faces calls to resign as a Redbridge councillor after pleading guilty to indecent exposure.
Gould, 33, appeared at Barking Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where he admitted to unlawfully exposing his genitals. He was released on bail and is set to be sentenced next month. The case, first reported by The Sun, has sparked widespread condemnation and prompted an investigation in Parliament.
Streeting expressed his shock and horror at the news, stating, “My heart goes out to the victims of these totally abhorrent acts. No one should have to endure this behaviour, and I am grateful to the police for taking swift action.”
The Health Secretary confirmed that a disciplinary process had been initiated following Gould’s arrest over the weekend. Streeting has called for Gould to resign immediately from his role as a Redbridge councillor, saying, “He has abused my trust, the trust of my team, and the trust of my constituents and must now accept the consequences of his actions.”
The Labour Party has suspended Gould pending the outcome of legal proceedings. A party spokesman said, “These allegations are extremely serious and upsetting. As soon as they were brought to our attention, Mr Gould was immediately suspended both from his role in the constituency office and from the party, pending a police investigation. We will not be providing any further comment during legal proceedings.”
The case has drawn attention to Labour’s broader commitments on addressing indecent exposure. During the general election campaign, the party pledged to overhaul the “woefully inadequate” handling of such crimes in the criminal justice system. This included a promise to conduct a “fundamental review” of indecent exposure laws, launch a public information campaign to encourage victims to come forward, and provide specialist training for police officers. These pledges were made in the wake of the Sarah Everard case, which highlighted systemic failures in addressing violence against women and girls.
Gould’s guilty plea has raised questions about accountability and the standards expected of public officials. As the legal process continues, the Labour Party faces pressure to ensure that its commitment to justice and safeguarding is upheld.
For more political updates, visit London Pulse News.
