Labour’s Local Grooming Gang Inquiries Criticized for Lack of Powers to Compel Witnesses

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Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, is facing criticism for her approach to addressing the issue of grooming gangs in the UK. Despite the Government allocating £5 million for five initial local inquiries, modeled after the judge-led investigation in Telford, critics argue that the lack of statutory powers to compel witnesses will hinder the efforts to uncover the full truth.

 

The first inquiry will take place in Oldham, marking a reversal of the Home Office’s previous decision not to support such investigations. This change came after significant criticism, including comments from tech billionaire Elon Musk on social media platform X. In a statement to the Commons, Cooper also announced a rapid three-month national audit led by Baroness Louise Casey. This audit aims to establish the current scale of grooming, focusing on the societal and cultural drivers as well as the ethnicity of the gangs. Following this, Baroness Casey will move on to address the social care crisis.

 

These measures have been designed to counter demands for a comprehensive national inquiry from various political figures, including Conservatives, Reform UK, and some Labour MPs. However, Cooper's approach has been met with disapproval from within her party. Senior Labour politicians, such as Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, have voiced concerns over the lack of statutory powers in the local inquiries. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, labeled the local inquiries as "wholly inadequate," given that the problem affects up to 50 towns.

 

“These local inquiries won’t have the legal powers under the Inquiry Act 2005 to compel witnesses to attend, take evidence under oath, and requisition written evidence,” Philp stated. He emphasized that victims, the public, and even Labour leaders like Burnham want a full national public inquiry with the necessary powers to compel evidence. Echoing these sentiments, Sarah Champion highlighted that without statutory powers, local inquiries would only ensure no cover-ups if they had the ability to compel witnesses.

 

Despite the criticism, Cooper defended the local inquiry approach, arguing that they can provide more detailed, locally relevant answers and changes than a nationwide inquiry. She revealed plans to utilize the Government’s new “duty of candour,” a legal obligation on public servants, including police, to tell the truth. This measure aims to hold those involved in cover-ups or resisting scrutiny accountable, ensuring that truth and justice are upheld.

 

Tom Crowther, who led the Telford inquiry, will establish a national framework for these local investigations, starting with Oldham and four other pilot areas. Additionally, Cooper asked police forces to review and potentially reopen cold cases related to historic child sexual exploitation and abuse allegations. The police’s Child Sexual Exploitation Taskforce is also tasked with improving the collection of ethnic data on perpetrators and victims, following evidence that some abuse allegations were suppressed to avoid damaging community relations.

 

Official data recently revealed that individuals of Pakistani descent are up to four times more likely to be reported for child sex grooming offenses than the general population. This has intensified the call for robust action and thorough investigations to address the systemic issue of grooming gangs in the UK. 

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-01-18