Presenter Michelle Dewberry ignited a fierce debate on GB News this morning during a heated discussion about grooming gangs and the responsibilities of public figures when addressing the issue. Dewberry, known for her forthright opinions, did not hold back her criticism of former Labor advisor Scarlett MccGwire, accusing her of “turning a blind eye” to the plight of grooming gang survivors.
The discussion resurfaced amid renewed public scrutiny of the grooming gang crisis following recent comments by Elon Musk. Musk had aimed Kier Starmer, alleging that the Labor leader has failed to protect s*xually exploited children in the UK. This controversial statement has added further fuel to an already incendiary debate, prompting Dewberry to confront MccGwire directly on the matter.
During the broadcast, Dewberry questioned MccGwire’s apparent reluctance to engage deeply with the disturbing realities faced by survivors of grooming gangs. “I can’t understand that you don’t want to read and understand what has happened to these girls. You as an individual. You’re a paid current affairs commentator. This is one of the biggest stories that’s been dominating headlines internationally. Why wouldn’t you want to understand?” Dewberry asserted, emphasizing the moral and professional obligation to grasp the full extent of the abuse, according to the Express.
In response, MccGwire defended her position by stating, “It just makes me sick.” However, Dewberry was unyielding. She pressed on, recalling a previous conversation: “You sat on her last week and we had this conversation. One of my panelists asked you specifically, ‘Have you read the transcripts?’ And you said no. Fast forward a week and you still haven’t read them. I can’t process it. I cannot understand.” Her frustration was palpable as she questioned MccGwire’s commitment to uncovering the truth behind these harrowing accounts.
MccGwire then protested, saying, “I seriously cannot understand why finding out the absolute details of what happened to these poor, poor girls would make me feel any more strongly that something has got to happen. These girls were absolutely let down by everybody. By social workers, by councilors, by the police. It makes you feel sick.” Yet Dewberry quickly redirected the focus onto systemic failures. She countered that the true cause for her distress was not an individual’s inaction but rather the broader political reluctance to instigate a national inquiry into the grooming gang crisis.
“I’ll tell you what makes me feel sick, the fact that people still have not cottoned onto the absolutely disgusting nature of what has happened to these people. I would bet every single penny that I have that this is still happening in towns and cities up and down the country today. It’s not acceptable for people in the media to say, ‘You know what? I’m going to turn a blind eye to this,” she declared.
MccGwire maintained that she had engaged in discussions with politicians about launching inquiries, though Dewberry countered, “Well I’m sick of it. I think, especially if you’re a paid current affairs commentator, you have to make sure that you understand the issues that we’re discussing. I am getting sick and tired of broadening this out.” The fiery exchange highlighted the deep divisions over how best to address and bring accountability to this ongoing crisis.
