Keir Starmer vows grooming gang inquiry won't be watered down as survivors hit out

Keir Starmer announced Dame Louise Casey would support the work of the national inquiry into grooming gangs as he was challenged by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

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The national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal will not be watered down, Keir Starmer has vowed, after four survivors walked out.

The PM announced that Government troubleshooter Baroness Louise Casey will be drafted in to support the inquiry. Mr Starmer said the probe "would not shy away" from cultural and religious issues and he defended safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.

The Government has been rocked in recent days after four survivors of sickening abuse quit, saying they lacked confidence in the process. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch read the words of one of them - Fiona Goddard - who asked: "What's the point in speaking up if we're just going to be called liars?"

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Ms Goddard quit the inquiry's victims and survivors liaison panel alongside fellow survivor Ellie-Ann Reynolds. Two more anonymous women stepped down on Tuesday.

The PM responded: "Can I thank you for raising that on behalf of Fiona. And let me give you and the house my answer, because the grooming scandal was one of the worst scandals of our time.

"Women and girls were abused and exploited by predatory gangs of men and survivors have been ignored for many years, including by the state that, of course, is supposed to protect them.

"My vow to Fiona and them is that this national inquiry will change that. I do acknowledge that in recent days, some members, including Fiona, have decided to step away from the panel. I say this, Mr. Speaker - should they wish to return, the door will always be open.

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"But even if they do not we owe it to them and to Fiona and to the country to answer the concerns that they have raised. The inquiry is not and will never be watered down. Its scope will not change.

"It will examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders, and we will find the right person to chair the inquiry." He announced Baroness Casey will now "support the work of the inquiry".

He went on: "Injustice will have no place to hide." In June a report by Baroness Casey recommended a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.

Mrs Badenoch told the Commons: "Four victims on the rape gang survivors' panel have resigned and they resigned because they've lost all confidence in the Government's inquiry."

She went on: "One of the survivors has said, and I quote, Jess Phillips needs to be removed because I don't think her conduct during this has been acceptable."

Mr Starmer said: "I respect the views of all the survivors and their different views. I accept that. But the safeguarding minister, I think, has probably more experience than any other person in this House in dealing with violence against women and girls.

"Alongside her will be Louise Casey. These two individuals, Mr. Speaker, have spent decades standing up for those who've been abused and sexually exploited. And I absolutely think they are the right people to take this forward."

Mrs Badenoch told the Commons: "(Labour) voted against the national inquiry three times, so the victims don't believe them. They can't say 'no' as much as they like, it is on the record. They don't like it, but it's true.

"Now, one of the victims has quit, contrary to what the Prime Minister has just said and what the Home Secretary wrote this morning, they believe that the inquiry will downplay the racial and religious motivations behind their abuse. Aren't the victims right when they call it a cover up?"

The PM replied: "Let me reassure the victims and the House that the scope of the inquiry will not be diluted, and we don't shy away from cultural or religious issues." He said the Government had reopened 1,200 historic closed cases and separately introduced mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse, despite the Conservatives voting against it.