Natalie Fleet has stepped down as safeguarding minister, citing the role's "overwhelmingly triggering" nature as the reason for her departure. In an announcement made via the social media platform X, Fleet stated that the contents of the job were "overwhelmingly triggering" and that "victims deserve someone at their best."
Fleet, the Labour MP for Bolsover, told BBC News that the responsibilities of the safeguarding minister position expose one to the "worst of humanity," which was negatively impacting her health. "It quickly became apparent how ill it was making me," she said, adding that while she received support from the Home Office, the nature of the job was still a significant struggle.
She was appointed to the role on May 12 of this year. Her predecessor, Jess Phillips, had resigned citing stalled progress under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Fleet described her decision to step down as "the bravest thing I've ever done" and offered her support to her successor.
The MP has been open about her personal experiences, including an interview with GB News in 2024 where she detailed being groomed and raped as a teenager, leading to a pregnancy at 15. She stated that she experiences "weekly nightmares" related to the trauma. In her maiden speech to the House of Commons in October 2024, Fleet emphasized her duty to speak for women whose stories often go untold.
Fleet was elected as the MP for Bolsover in July 2024, succeeding veteran Labour politician Dennis Skinner.