UK Launches National Inquiry Into Grooming Gangs

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reversed his previous stance and ordered a full statutory national inquiry into grooming gangs, following extensive public and political pressure and a critical audit by Baroness Louise Casey. The Casey review details institutional failures, including the systemic ignoring of white British girls out of fear of accusations of racism, and explicitly links the abuse to men of Pakistani origin. The decision follows years of government resistance, with prior efforts limited to implementing recommendations from the 2022 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and local investigations. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Elon Musk, and other public figures criticized Starmer’s earlier reluctance, further fueling calls for a national probe. Survivors, advocacy groups such as the NSPCC, and opposition parties have welcomed the move but warn against delays. The statutory inquiry will have the power to compel witness testimony and documents, with further details to be announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.