Call to consider lowering age of consent for sex to 15

Prof John Ashton called for a national debate on lowering the age of consent

Lowering the age of consent for sex to 15 should be considered by ministers, a leading public health expert has urged.

Faculty of Public Health president Prof John Ashton said the move would make it easier for 15-year-olds to get sexual health advice from the NHS.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Prof Ashton called for a national debate on the issue.

Children's charity the NSPCC said it wanted to see the evidence for Prof Ashton's claims before any discussion.