Focus of grooming inquiry ‘will not change’, home secretary insists

Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood has stressed that the focus of the national grooming gangs investigation “will not change” or be “watered down”.

Writing in the Times newspaper, Mahmood said the wait for the head of the inquiry to be appointed “won’t be long”, adding that the government “must get this right”.

His intervention comes after three abuse survivors this week abandoned their roles in the inquiry amid fears it could widen its scope beyond gang grooming and concerns about who would lead the investigation.

Survivor “Elizabeth” (not her real name) said in her resignation letter that the process appeared to be a “cover-up” and “created a toxic environment for survivors.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a national inquiry into gangs spanning England and Wales will be launched in June and a panel of survivors will be established to oversee the process.

But three abuse survivors accused authorities of trying to water down the investigation by broadening its scope to broader issues such as the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

There is also frustration about the length of time it takes to appoint a president; some see this as a delaying tactic due to fear of what might be revealed.

Survivors raised concerns about the suitability of the candidates shortlisted to chair the inquiry; these included Annie Hudson, a former senior social worker, and Jim Gamble, a former deputy chief constable.

Fiona Goddard Abused by gangs while living in a children’s home in BradfordHe said police and social work services were the “largest contributor to the national cover-up of mass rape and child trafficking”.

Ellie Reynolds, another survivor, suggested it was a conflict of interest to appoint “individuals within the organization who represent systems that have failed us” as potential presidents.

Ms Reynolds, who was abused by a gang of Pakistani brothers in Barrow, told BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour: “If they were that serious about appointing a chair who would actually be successful in this investigation, they wouldn’t have chosen a police officer or a social worker.

“He had to be a judge; he had to be completely impartial and unbiased.”

Ms Reynolds said the “final turning point” in her decision to resign was the move to broaden the investigation “to downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse”.

Elizabeth said she sees “the promotion of selective narratives that serve certain agendas, particularly around race issues and coverage expansion narratives.”

He told the BBC he wanted a president who was “legally” educated and “impartial”.

According to information given to the BBC, Annie Hudson withdrew her presidential candidacy.

In his Times article, Mahmood said he had learned “with sadness” that some members of the panel had resigned.

“The door will always remain open for them if they want to return,” Mahmood wrote. “But even if they don’t, I owe it to them and to the country to respond to some of the concerns they’ve raised.”

He also said the investigation would “explicitly examine the ethnicity and religion of the criminals”.

“I know some people are frustrated because they are still waiting for this investigation to begin. I understand that frustration. And I feel it myself,” Mahmood added.

Conservation Minister Jess Phillips has previously said it was “not true” that the government was trying to dilute the focus of the investigation.

Responding to the resignations of Ms Goddard and Ms Reynolds in the House of Commons, Phillips said he was saddened by the departure of the two women but added: “My door is always open to them.”

He also emphasized that “not all victims agree” and that he will continue to communicate with all survivors.

Phillips added that the victim inquiry panel from which Ms Reynolds and Ms Goddard resigned was run by a grooming gang charity, not the government.

But Ms Goddard said the conservation minister’s denials were a “blatant lie” and later told GB News she would “consider” returning to the panel, but only if Phillips resigned.

Ms Goddard said the survivors panel had “many” members who were victims of different types of child sexual abuse and exploitation, not grooming gangs, and it was only those individuals who had pressed for a wider investigation.

A Home Office spokesman said the investigation would “remain laser-focused on grooming gangs”, as recommended by Baroness Casey. called for a national investigation.

“To meaningfully consult with victims and survivors about the mandate, we need to ask them questions and listen to their answers.” The spokesman added.

“This is not to broaden the scope, but to ensure that their voices shape the investigation.”

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the government’s investigation had “threw into chaos”.

He said ministers were “forced” to conduct the investigation in June, adding: “Perhaps that is why months later the government said nothing concrete to the public.”

The Conservatives have called for a senior judge to head the inquiry to ensure impartiality and restore faith in the process.

Phillips rejected the suggestion, arguing that Baroness Casey had said she did not want a traditional justice-led investigation.

The minister also highlighted the difficulty of finding a seat that is not affiliated with an institution that “has not failed these girls over the years, including our courts that have removed children from the grooming of gang victims and criminalized some of them.”

“There is no institution in our country that has not failed,” he added.