Sarah Champion, the Labour MP who has been a longtime campaigner on the sexual abuse of women and girls, has called for another national inquiry into grooming gangs, putting more pressure on Keir Starmer.
The Rotherham MP said in a statement that while it was also important to swiftly implement the recommendations of the previous inquiry into the issue, led by Prof Alexis Jay, there was a need to examine the failures of those in authority.
The prime minister has faced calls from the Conservatives and Reform UK, among others, to launch a fresh inquiry after the tech billionaire Elon Musk seized on the longstanding scandal earlier this month.
Starmer, who condemned the “lies and misinformation” spread by Musk via messages on X, the social media platform he owns, has refused calls for another inquiry.
Downing Street argues that while it does not definitively rule this out as an option, the consensus among victims and survivors, and among experts, including Jay, is that to do so would risk delaying action to crack down on the problem now.
But Champion, whose constituency was among areas where grooming gangs operated, and who has campaigned consistently on the issue, said an inquiry would help tackle public distrust over the handling of the gangs.
“Having worked widely with victims and survivors, and frontline professionals, I have long believed that we need to fully understand the nature of this crime and the failures in the response of public bodies if we are to truly protect children,” she said.
“It is clear that nothing less than a national inquiry into the failings of those in authority to both prevent, and be accountable for their failings, in relation to grooming gangs will restore the faith in our safeguarding systems.”
The inquiry is among five recommended actions made by Champion, to take place concurrently. The others are to implement Jay’s recommendations; to undertake a “national audit” into the scale of the problem; work to examine the motivations of gang members; and a review of existing laws to protect children and prosecute abusers.
At the weekend another Labour MP, Dan Carden, backed a new national inquiry – and was approvingly retweeted by Musk.
Champion has, however, criticised what she said was the politicisation of the issue by Reform MPs.
During a debate last week over a Conservative call for an inquiry, Champion angrily condemned Reform’s Rupert Lowe, who talked of “foreign rapists” and called for them and family members to be deported. Speaking after Lowe, Champion said she was “disgusted” by his tone.
