BPS response disputed

Controvery surrounds the response submitted in the name of the British Psychological Society, the official organisation representing psychologists in Britain. It is alleged that although inputs for their response were requested on their website, no adequate notice was given about the meeting endorsing the formal submission, so that the resulting document does not in fact represent the considered opinion of British psychologists.

This is important because the Home Office is likely to give considerable weight to the supposed opinions of one of the most relevant expert bodies in the field of violence and pornography.

Backlash arranged for a number of psychologists to be given the Home Office consultation paper and the BPS submission, and we are grateful for their prompt responses, which have been submitted to the Home Office.

They expressed serious doubts about the BPS submission - in particular, about whether it was a fair and accurate representation of opinion within the profession. Backlash is seeking their permission to publish attributed responses.