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2w ago

Chris Bryant Reveals 1978 Abuse by National Youth Theatre Founder and Unreported Westminster Assaults

In a Sunday Times interview ahead of his memoir’s release he disclosed the 1978 abuse by Michael Croft, prompting the National Youth Theatre’s apology, followed by a review of its safeguarding measures.

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Chris Bryant photographed in his garden in the Rhondda Valley, south Wales
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Overview

  • In the interview Bryant recounted being sexually abused at age 16 by National Youth Theatre founder Michael Croft during summer 1978 rehearsals in London.
  • He noted that Croft died in 1986, precluding any legal action, yet the pair remained on friendly terms and Bryant conducted his funeral as an ordained minister.
  • Bryant also revealed he was sexually assaulted by five unnamed male MPs in Westminster and did not report those incidents due to fear of homophobia and lack of reporting mechanisms.
  • The National Youth Theatre issued a formal apology for historic abuse, invited survivors to come forward and pledged to address all allegations under its updated, trauma-informed safeguarding policy.
  • Bryant’s disclosures expose longstanding secrecy in the arts and politics and may prompt further scrutiny of institutional protections and encourage other victims to speak out.