“Has the government given up on the grooming gang inquiries?”

There is growing public confusion regarding the government’s current stance on local inquiries into the activities of grooming gangs that perpetrated systematic sexual abuse of girls over several years. Many of the high-profile cases involved men of Pakistani origin, with victims often being young white girls. These crimes, characterized by extreme sexual violence, have been documented in towns across northern England, as well as in places such as Telford and Oxford. Some media and commentators have referred to the perpetrators as “rape gangs” due to the severity of the offenses.

The topic remains highly sensitive and politically charged. Long-standing allegations suggest that law enforcement, social services, and local authorities may have ignored victims’ reports or failed to act due to political or cultural considerations. In January, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans for local inquiries in five towns. However, recent developments have led to accusations that the government has abandoned these efforts.

Is the Government Still Committed to the Inquiries?

Despite public perception, the government maintains that the local inquiries are still proceeding. Under pressure from opposition MPs and media scrutiny, Cooper has reiterated the commitment to launching the reviews in five locations. However, a lack of visible progress and communication has contributed to widespread uncertainty.

Why Has Confusion Arisen?

Several factors have contributed to the perception that the inquiries may have been shelved. Earlier this month, barrister Tom Crowther KC—who led the 2022 inquiry into grooming in Telford—told a parliamentary committee that he had received limited information about his role in the new inquiries and had even questioned whether his involvement was still expected.

To date, only one of the five towns—Oldham—has been publicly named. No additional locations have been confirmed, and there has been little sign of the “rapid” review process that was initially promised. This apparent lack of urgency has drawn criticism from opposition figures, including Shadow Home Office Minister Katie Lam.

The controversy deepened when Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips made a statement on April 8, confirming that a £5 million fund remained available for local authorities. However, her update, delivered on the last day of Parliament before the Easter recess, provided few specifics. Phillips stated the funding would support “a flexible approach,” including full independent inquiries, victims’ panels, or local audits of historical abuse cases. Critics argue this signaled a potential softening of the government’s original commitment.

Political and Cultural Sensitivities

Trevor Phillips, former chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has suggested that political sensitivities may be influencing the government’s actions. He noted that many of the cases involve perpetrators from Pakistani Muslim backgrounds and occurred in Labour-held constituencies, potentially complicating efforts to launch inquiries that might provoke backlash from certain communities.

Government Response and Next Steps

Ministers have rejected suggestions of complacency and pointed to an upcoming national audit by Louise Casey, the former Victims’ Commissioner. This report, expected next month, will aim to assess the current scope of grooming gangs in the UK, including consideration of the ethnic makeup of offenders.

The future direction remains unclear. Some councils, such as Bradford, have declined to pursue additional inquiries. Labour leader Keir Starmer has indicated that his party may support more than five inquiries and is focused on implementing recommendations from prior investigations. These include proposed legal reforms such as criminalizing the obstruction of abuse reporting, mandating the reporting of child abuse, and considering grooming as an aggravating factor in sentencing.

Is a National Inquiry Needed?

The United Kingdom has previously conducted a national inquiry—the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)—launched under Prime Minister Theresa May and chaired by Alexis Jay. That inquiry reported in 2022 and covered a wide range of abuse cases, including allegations involving public figures. Although comprehensive, its broad scope has led some to argue that it did not fully address the specific issue of grooming gangs.

Survivors and victims’ advocates continue to call for a more focused and empowered national inquiry, one that carries full judicial authority and addresses perceived gaps left by previous investigations. Despite numerous trials, local investigations, and media exposés—including The Times’ landmark reporting in 2011—many believe that only a formal judicial inquiry will bring full transparency and justice.

Source article originally posted here: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/politics-explained/grooming-gangs-yvette-cooper-telford-oldham-b2731857.html