The Scottish Parliament is set to debate the influence of Andrew Tate on children, following concerns that the self-proclaimed misogynist's toxic ideology is infiltrating schools across Britain. The debate comes as teachers and parents report an increase in boys adopting Tate's extreme views, including controlling behaviour towards girls and the use of phrases like 'What colour is your Bugatti?' and 'Make me a sandwich'.
Tate, a 36-year-old US-British citizen, rose to fame as a kickboxer and social media influencer before being banned from major platforms for misogynistic content. He is currently detained in Romania on charges of human trafficking, rape, and forming an organised crime group, which he denies. Despite his arrest, his videos continue to circulate, and children as young as 10 are following his case.
One father, Nick, said his 10-year-old son Daniel asked about Tate last year. After researching, Nick was horrified. 'It's worrying. I think the school should address it,' he said. At a secondary school in Rotherham, deputy headteacher Lisa McCall noted that 'students knew more than teachers in those early stages' about Tate, and staff are now concerned about the 'corrosive influence' of his views.
Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones previously raised the issue in Parliament, criticising Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for being 'too slow to recognise the damage this is causing'. She subsequently received rape and death threats. Secondary schools across the country have begun arranging additional training for staff and workshops for pupils to counter Tate's messaging.
