Labour MP Chris Bryant says he was sexually abused by National Youth Theatre founder
Sir Chris said Michael Croft, who died in 1986, had invited him to dinner every evening while he was attending the drama group in London during the summer of 1978. Sir Chris was 16 at the time and Croft was 40 years older.
The MP described the incident, saying while at Croft's house one evening he came back from the toilet to find his host naked except for a silk robe.
Sir Chris said Croft then asked him for oral sex, and he felt no option but to go through with it.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Sir Chris said: '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.'
Sir Chris said Croft never made an advance towards him again, with the pair remaining friends. An ordained minister, he agreed to conduct Croft's funeral.
'He behaved absolutely appallingly, it's despicable,' Sir Chris added.
'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 said at least one other friend was also abused by Croft during his National Youth Theatre days.
The 63-year-old also said he has been sexually assaulted by five male MPs during his time in Westminster, although he has not named or reported them.
'There was no system for doing so and I was frightened it would make me look bad,' he said, adding he felt homophobia in Parliament has declined during his 24 years as an MP.
In a statement, the National Youth Theatre 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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