Calls for National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs

Labour MP Sarah Champion has called for a new national inquiry into grooming gangs, citing the need to understand failures in authority responses to sexual exploitation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resisted these calls, arguing that existing recommendations from a prior inquiry should be prioritized to avoid delaying action against the issue. Support for an inquiry is echoed by other MPs, including Paul Waugh, who emphasized the necessity of victim support and consideration of ongoing police investigations. Meanwhile, Lord Walney expressed that while public inquiries can prolong issues, there is a critical need for clarity on whether the UK has a serious problem with grooming gangs. The debate intensified after the Labour Party blocked a Conservative amendment for a national inquiry, highlighting the political divide on this sensitive issue. The scandal continues to raise questions about the responsibility of authorities in handling such cases, particularly in light of historical failures in Rotherham and other towns.