Inquiries into local grooming gangs will go ahead, the Home Secretary has confirmed following allegations they had been dropped.
Yvette Cooper on Thursday blamed "party political misinformation" for claims that five local investigations into the scandals would not happen.
Earlier this year, Ms Cooper vowed that a three-month “rapid audit” of the current situation on grooming gangs and child sexual abuse across the country would be completed, as well as £5million handed out for “victim-centred, locally led inquiries” in five areas.
But it was reported earlier this week that councils will be able to choose how to use the funding and will not necessarily have to launch any investigations.
It prompted allegations that Labour was “watering down” probes into the scandals.
Asked if all of the local investigations would take place, Ms Cooper told LBC: "We're still going ahead. The framework is being drawn up at the moment.
"There's been, sadly, I think, party political misinformation about this.
“What we should be doing is all working together to support victims and survivors of these really vile crimes.
"What we're also doing is we're putting in place stronger measures.
“We're strengthening the law into these gangs and we're also increasing police investigations, which is the most important thing of all, because, frankly, these perpetrators should be behind bars, and if you don't get the police investigations in place, that won't happen.
"That is the best way to get people justice and to keep communities safe."
Questions about whether the inquiries would not go ahead arose on Tuesday when Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips did not provide an update on them in the Commons, as she told MPs that a new child protection authority will be created.
She told the Commons: “This Government will establish a new child protection authority.
“Building on the national child safeguarding review panel, the child protection authority will address one of IICSA’s (Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse) central recommendations for providing national leadership and learning on child protection and safeguarding.
“Work to expand the role of the panel will begin immediately, and we will consult on developing the new authority this year.”
