Labour MP and minister Chris Bryant has disclosed that he was sexually abused as a teenager by Michael Croft, the late founder of the National Youth Theatre. Bryant, now 63, said the abuse occurred in 1978 when he was 16 and Croft was in his 50s.
In an interview with the Sunday Times ahead of his memoir's publication, Bryant described how Croft would invite him to dinner and then take him to his house. On one occasion, Croft appeared naked in a silk robe and demanded oral sex, which Bryant felt compelled to perform, leaving him feeling like 'a 16-year-old whore'.
Bryant stated that Croft never made another advance, and they remained friends; Bryant even conducted Croft's funeral in 1986. He called Croft's behaviour 'despicable' and noted that Croft exploited the fact that Bryant was gay at a time when homosexuality was largely illegal.
The MP also revealed that at least one other friend from the National Youth Theatre was abused by Croft and has been 'destroyed' by the experience. Previously, others had come forward with similar allegations.
Bryant additionally disclosed that he had been sexually assaulted by five male MPs during his time in Westminster, but did not report them due to fear of repercussions and a lack of systems in place. He noted that homophobia in Parliament has declined over his 24 years as an MP.
The National Youth Theatre issued a statement expressing gratitude to Bryant for disclosing the abuse and apologising for what happened. They confirmed that Croft has been deceased since 1986 and emphasised their current robust safeguarding policies.
