Welsh Labour MP Chris Bryant says he was sexually abused by theatre boss as a teenager
The Labour minister said he was left feeling like a '16-year-old whore' by Michael Croft, the head of the prestigious National Youth Theatre
Labour Minister Chris Bryant has recounted how he was sexually abused by the disgraced founder of the National Youth Theatre
(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Sir Chris Bryant has revealed he was sexually abused as a teenager by the founder of the National Youth Theatre, Michael Croft. The Labour minister became emotional during an interview, describing how he felt like a "16-year-old whore" due to the actions of Mr Croft, who was at the helm of the esteemed drama group.
In a conversation with the Sunday Times, Sir Chris Bryant recounted that Mr Croft, who died in 1986, would invite him for dinner every evening when he was part of the company in London during the summer of 1978, at the age of 16.
One night, said Sir Chris, he returned from the toilet at Mr Croft's residence to find his host, who was four decades older than him, naked apart from a silk robe.
The minster said the abuse left him feeling like a "16-year-old whore"
(Image: PA)
The MP for Rhondda and Ogmore disclosed that Mr Croft then propositioned him for sex, and he felt he had no choice but to comply, reports the Mirror.
Ahead of the launch of his book 'A Life And A Half: The Unexpected Making Of A Politician', Sir Chris admitted: "I don't like telling this very much because I've not told it very often.
"It was always the same Italian in King's Cross. He would eat and drink, I would eat, then he would theoretically give me a lift home, except I always ended up at his house." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Sir Chris stated that Mr Croft never made another advance towards him, and they remained friends. As an ordained minister, he even agreed to officiate Mr Croft's funeral.
However, he expressed anger over the abuse of power and confessed to internalising the shame.
"He behaved absolutely appallingly, it's despicable," Sir Chris said.
"Michael, in my case, managed to spot somebody who was gay at a time when nearly all homosexuality was illegal - certainly very frowned on - so presumed that people would keep a secret."
He revealed that at least one colleague from his National Youth Theatre days was also abused by Mr Croft.
The 63-year-old also disclosed he had been sexually assaulted by five male MPs during his time in Westminster, though he has not identified or reported them.
"There was no system for doing so and I was frightened it would make me look bad," he explained.
He noted that homophobia in Parliament had decreased during his 24 years as an MP.
A statement on the National Youth Theatre website said: "We are grateful to Chris Bryant for disclosing to our team the historical abuse he suffered in the company in the 1970s. We are very sorry that this happened to him and to others who have previously shared with us their accounts of historic abuse by the same perpetrator.
"As we set out in a public statement on the case in 2017, we stand in solidarity with all victims of abuse and encourage anyone who has experienced abuse, no matter how long ago, to speak to someone and access support.
"In this case the perpetrator has been deceased since 1986, but all reports made to us will be dealt with in accordance with our robust and formalised safeguarding policy and practice.
"While Chris writes he doesn't feel damaged by what happened, we recognise that being subjected to an abuse of power can have lasting consequences for many, in different ways.
"Anyone getting in touch will be listened to and treated with care and respect by trained professionals, in line with our certified trauma-informed practice.
"We are grateful to Chris for his support of our organisation today, and acknowledgement of how different a charity we are in 2025 to the one he encountered in the 1970s, with thorough safeguarding practices and policies in place."
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