Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has reignited calls for a national inquiry into the grooming scandals that have plagued towns and cities across the UK, describing such an investigation as "long overdue." Her statement follows mounting criticism of government minister Jess Phillips, who recently declined Oldham Council's request for a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in the town.  

 

Badenoch took to the platform X, asserting, “The time is long overdue for a full national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal. Trials have taken place all over the country in recent years, but no one in authority has joined the dots. 2025 must be the year that the victims start to get justice.”  

 

Her plea was echoed by Alicia Kearns, the shadow safeguarding minister, who wrote to Phillips urging a reversal of the government's decision regarding Oldham. Kearns emphasized, “We have asked for planned Conservative measures to be enacted, to reverse the Oldham refusal, and for a statutory inquiry into grooming and rape gangs.”  

 

The grooming scandals, which have spanned over a decade, were first brought to public attention in 2013. Reports uncovered harrowing instances of girls as young as 11 being groomed and raped in towns such as Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham, and Telford. A 2014 report by Professor Alexis Jay revealed the horrific scale of abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013, where approximately 1,400 girls were abused, while police and social services failed to act.  

 

 

This was followed by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), also chaired by Professor Jay. In its 2022 final report, the inquiry found that children across England and Wales continued to suffer sexual exploitation by organized networks in what it described as the "most degrading and destructive ways." Among its key recommendations was a legal requirement for institutions working with children to report suspicions of sexual abuse.  

 

In contrast to Badenoch's stance, Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, defended her position in a letter to Oldham Council dated October last year. She wrote that while she understood the "strength of feeling" surrounding the issue, she believed that commissioning a local inquiry was the responsibility of Oldham Council rather than the government.  

 

Phillips’ response drew backlash from Conservative figures, including former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who accused her of “letting down victims.” Survivors and critics, however, also directed their frustrations at Badenoch and the Conservative government.  

 

Sammy Woodhouse, a survivor of the Rotherham abuse, criticized Badenoch’s call for action, stating, “I’ve met with your party for 12 years about this when you were in power. I asked for an inquiry into every town and city, none of you cared. Now you need the vote you want to speak on it?”  

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage added to the condemnation, remarking, “Talk is cheap. The Conservatives had 14 years in government to launch an inquiry. The establishment has failed the victims of grooming gangs on every level.”  

 

The demand for accountability persists as survivors, campaigners, and politicians on both sides of the aisle grapple with the government’s role in addressing systemic failures. With calls for justice growing louder, the question remains whether 2025 will indeed be the year meaningful action is taken to confront this enduring national tragedy.

 

Based on a report by Sky News | Independent 2024-01-04

 

 

About time. I doubt, however, it will ever happen given the increasing strength of the Islamic lobby in the UK.

I remember when Jack straw brought it up in Parliament 2010 ish it brought it to public attention ( a problem I admit I knew nothing about) 

He was vilified for it now all these years later people are still burying there heads in the sand for fear of losing a few votes.

If some is happening whether  people are white black or brown call the f,ckers out doesn't mean every white asian or black person is going to get offended 

If young kids are not worth protecting what is ?

7 minutes ago, Dave0206 said:

I remember when Jack straw brought it up in Parliament 2010 ish it brought it to public attention ( a problem I admit I knew nothing about) 

He was vilified for it now all these years later people are still burying there heads in the sand for fear of losing a few votes.

If some is happening whether  people are white black or brown call the f,ckers out doesn't mean every white asian or black person is going to get offended 

If young kids are not worth protecting what is ?

 

   Tommy Robinson was the first one to mention it publically , he just got called a racist and a liar and no one believed him at all 

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Tommy Robinson was the first one to mention it publically , he just got called a racist and a liar and no one believed him at all 

I'm sure you may well be right but I just remember straw saying it in parliament and I thought wow that's a bit confrontational until I knew the background. 

This should have made the public more aware especially parents 

And not a white Anglo Saxon face among them.

The scum need to be weeded out and sent back to milk goats and ride camels.

There was an inquiry two years ago , the Tories ignored it's findings. No surprise there.

If the grooming gangs were white, you would see a lot more action!

15 hours ago, Social Media said:

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has reignited calls for a national inquiry into the grooming scandals that have plagued towns and cities across the UK, describing such an investigation as "long overdue."

Just curious. The Tories have been governing the country for 14 years. Why  haven't they done it already?

Lights Out for all of them 

4 hours ago, candide said:

Just curious. The Tories have been governing the country for 14 years. Why  haven't they done it already?

An enquiry was carried under the Tory government and the report quietly buried.

4 hours ago, candide said:

Just curious. The Tories have been governing the country for 14 years. Why  haven't they done it already?

Because criminal investigations and legal trials were in the process of happening and they had to be concluded before an inquiry could happen

15 hours ago, Black arab said:

There was an inquiry two years ago , the Tories ignored it's findings. No surprise there.

At the time, the very forgetful and incompetant BadEnoch was Minister for Women and should have been busy doing her job, but preferred to make up stories and plan for a future leadership bid as she thought she was so brilliant.

1 hour ago, mrfill said:

At the time, the very forgetful and incompetant BadEnoch was Minister for Women and should have been busy doing her job, but preferred to make up stories and plan for a future leadership bid as she thought she was so brilliant.

 

Do you think that there should be a National enquiry into mass child abuse over many years ?

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Do you think that there should be a National enquiry into mass child abuse over many years ?

No.  What's the point if the recommendations are not followed through.  Oh, that sounds a bit negative of course, as inquiries often have very positive outcomes, but they've had a relevant inquiry so I don't see the point in repeating.  Time they got on with the actual work without fear or favour.  Every ethnic group in the UK will happily see criminals locked up for a very long time, especially for this type of crime.

 

https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/327566 - here's a link to the previous inquiry.  

A national culture is irretrievably broken when the ethnicity of rapists hampers the criminal investigations.

3 hours ago, mrfill said:

At the time, the very forgetful and incompetant BadEnoch 

 

   That's quite clever , spelling her name highling the E so that it spells Enoch Powell's first name .

   I wonder whether they will allow that deliberate misspelling of Politicians names on here , as it is quite subtle 

4 hours ago, Kinnock said:

A national culture is irretrievably broken when the ethnicity of rapists hampers the criminal investigations.

Or what political party they are affiliated to.

The fact that this is allowed in the UK as opposed to raining down hell-fire on grooming gangs and all other pedophiles tell you everything you need to know about the UK government and the elites who sway power in that now broken country.

There’s already been an inquiry, here’s a link to it.

 

Take note of the date and then see if you can recall who was in Government at the time:

 

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/iicsa-report-of-the-independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-abuse

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

There’s already been an inquiry, here’s a link to it.

 

Take note of the date and then see if you can recall who was in Government at the time:

 

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/iicsa-report-of-the-independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-abuse

 

Yes, it's sickening to see the hypocrisy of the Tories.

On 1/4/2025 at 4:24 PM, Andycoops said:

And not a white Anglo Saxon face among them.

The scum need to be weeded out and sent back to milk goats and ride camels.

the "white anglo saxon" faces are on the customer end of things.  

33 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

There’s already been an inquiry, here’s a link to it.

 

Take note of the date and then see if you can recall who was in Government at the time:

 

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/iicsa-report-of-the-independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-abuse

There has been a number of enquiries and investigations including at least one independent one but none have compelled witnesses to attend, or had the power to prosecute those who turned a blind eye or those who actively discouraged investigations. 

 

"120. There is no simple link between race and child sexual exploitation. It is a vile crime
which is perpetrated by a small number of individuals, and abhorred by the vast
majority, from every ethnic group. However, evidence presented to us suggests that
there is a model of localised grooming of Pakistani-heritage men targeting young
White girls. This must be acknowledged by official agencies, who we were concerned to
hear in some areas of particular community tension, had reportedly been slow to draw
attention to the issue for fear of affecting community cohesion. The condemnation
from those communities of this vile crime should demonstrate that there is no excuse
for tip-toeing around this issue."

 

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf

 

 

Badenoch calls for national inquiry into 'rape gangs'

"We need a proper national inquiry to look at all of these issues across all of the towns affected. And I'm afraid to say there are something like 15 to 25 different towns involved, covering thousands and thousands of victims."

Questions about the conduct of local authorities, the police and social care needed answering on a national scale, he argued. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4xnv02nr0o

 

 

44 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

Yes, it's sickening to see the hypocrisy of the Tories.

Badenoch was Minister
for Women and Equalities at the time the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Grooming Gangs was published and remain in that ministerial office for almost the full two years afterwards.

 

The Tory Government’s response to the report was to ignore its findings.
 

Badenoch is one of the Government Ministers doing the ignoring.

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Badenoch was Minister
for Women and Equalities at the time the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Grooming Gangs was published and remain in that ministerial office for almost the full two years afterwards.

 

The Tory Government’s response to the report was to ignore its findings.
 

Badenoch is one of the Government Ministers doing the ignoring.

Jeez, regardless of who was in charge, who is to blame or who should have done what. The important thing is to stop it happening again, ever! Recomendations from previous investigations need to be implemented. Would have been fantastic if the Tories had started doing that. The hope now is that Labour will. No sign of that yet. 

 

Plus an investigation that actually has teeth  to compel witnesses to attend, or has the power to prosecute those who turned a blind eye or those who actively discouraged investigations. 

 

In the meantime everyone loses sight of the real victims in this that deserve so much better than the bickering from officials. While these mainly Pakistani rape gangs probably carry on their vile acts in many towns to this day.

 

Labour is in Gov now, its up to them. 

Kier Starmer should go for Badenoch’s jugular over this.

 

Present her and parliament with the recommendations of the inquiry commissioned by the government in which she was a minister and demand she explain why no action was taken.

 

 

5 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Kier Starker should go for Badenoch’s jugular over this.

 

Present her and parliament with the recommendations of the inquiry commissioned by the government in which she was a minister and demand she explain why no action was taken.

 

 

Right even if that was done. Now what? Will labour implement them now? Has Labour's Women's equality Minister started implementing them? 

 

A new enquiry with real powers not also a priority? Seeing as everyone seems to have ignored all the others?

 

On 1/4/2025 at 5:12 PM, loong said:

If the grooming gangs were white, you would see a lot more action!

 

Indeed. Starmer would be labelling them all "far right" and going after every single one of them.

 

Given his role at the CPS during the scandal, he will want to bury this. Karma is creeping up on him though. 

23 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Indeed. Starmer would be labelling them all "far right" and going after every single one of them.

 

Given his role at the CPS during the scandal, he will want to bury this. Karma is creeping up on him though. 

He headed the CPS during the first prosecutions of these gangs.

 

 

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

He headed the CPS during the first prosecutions of these gangs.

 

 

 

Exactly. 

 

He did a terrible job, hence his opposition to an inquiry on the matter. He's trying to bury it. 

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/02/keir-starmer-forced-admit-cps-oldham-grooming-victims/