The Government’s grooming gang inquiry has descended into chaos as abuse survivors clash over whether Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips should stay in charge. The bitter rift has thrown the probe’s direction and scope into doubt, threatening its future.
Survivors Clash: Four Quit, Five Back Phillips
Four survivors—Fiona Goddard, Ellie Reynolds, Elizabeth Harper, and one known as Jessica—walked out of the inquiry’s victims liaison panel this week. They accused Phillips of “betrayal,” demanding her resignation amid fears the inquiry is being watered down.
“Being publicly contradicted and dismissed by a government minister when you are a survivor telling the truth takes you right back to that feeling of not being believed all over again,” their letter stated. “It is a betrayal that has destroyed what little trust remained.”
Yet a rival survivor group led by Samantha Walker-Roberts fired back, urging the Prime Minister to keep Phillips for vital continuity. They praised her commitment to fighting violence against women and said her leadership was crucial.
Row Over Inquiry’s Scope Sparks Fallout
The row centres on whether the inquiry should widen its remit beyond grooming gangs to cover broader child sexual exploitation. An email from the survivor charity NWG asked panel members about adopting a “broader approach.” Phillips denies plans to expand the scope, insisting it will remain focused on grooming gangs.
Text messages seen by New Statesman reveal Phillips admitted she preferred sticking to grooming gangs but wanted survivor input before final decisions. Critics said this contradicted her public statements and fueled mistrust.
Ellie Reynolds said the dispute was about “downplaying the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse.” She insisted survivors had proof they were right to resist broadening the inquiry.
Chair Hunt Collapses as Candidates Drop Out
Government hopes to find a chairperson have been set back. Two front-runners, Annie Hudson and former police expert Jim Gamble, pulled out within days. Gamble cited lack of confidence among survivors due to his policing background and slammed misleading attacks on his impartiality.
Gamble suggested the chair should be picked for integrity, not institutional ties, and questioned whether a judge should lead. However, some survivors back the idea of a judge-led inquiry, including Gaia Cooper, who also quit the panel.
Officials expect appointing a new chair to take months, warning the inquiry must move carefully to regain survivor trust and find the right leader. A Home Office spokesperson said they were “disappointed” by candidate withdrawals but remain committed to a strong investigation.
Political Firestorm and Public Pressure
Sir Keir Starmer defended Phillips in Parliament, promising the inquiry’s scope won’t change and that ethnicity and religion of offenders will be examined. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak echoed his support, praising Phillips’s experience fighting violence against women and girls.
But opposition MPs demand Phillips step down. Tory James Cleverly said, “When the victims say that they don’t have confidence in her, we have to listen.” Lib Dems slammed both parties for turning the inquiry into a “political football.”
The inquiry, born from Baroness Casey’s review, has faced fierce public scrutiny over failures to protect children in working-class white British communities, with lingering anger about how ethnic backgrounds of perpetrators were handled.
What’s Next for the Inquiry?
- Survivor groups remain divided on leadership and scope.
- Government aims to appoint a new chair acceptable to all survivors.
- Ministers vow the inquiry will stay focused on grooming gangs despite calls for broader child sexual exploitation coverage.
- Trust rebuilding efforts are underway, with Sir Keir planning direct survivor engagement.
With tensions rising and trust in tatters, the future of the grooming gang inquiry hangs by a thread. One thing’s clear—survivors and politicians aren’t backing down.
