Wes Streeting Defends Lucy Powell Amid Grooming Gangs Controversy

Lucy Powell, the leader of the House of Commons, faced widespread criticism after describing references to grooming gangs during a BBC Radio 4 debate as a 'dog whistle', which many interpreted as downplaying serious crimes against children. Powell apologized, clarifying that her intent was to challenge political point scoring rather than minimize the issue itself, and expressed regret for any misunderstanding. Health Secretary Wes Streeting defended Powell, acknowledging her remarks were a genuine mistake made in the heat of debate and emphasizing the importance of owning up to errors. Despite calls from some Conservatives and Reform UK for Powell to resign, both Streeting and No 10 indicated her job was secure following her apology. Critics, however, argued that her comments reflected a broader tendency to stifle debate or minimize the gravity of grooming gang scandals, a point highlighted in political and media commentary. The government reiterated its commitment to addressing grooming gang crimes and supporting victims.