UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reversed his position on a national investigation into child sex abuse, following criticism from Elon Musk. The government had initially argued that the issue had already been examined, but now plans to set up a full national inquiry with wide-ranging powers.
The move comes after pressure from Louise Casey, who reviewed data and evidence on the nature and scale of the abuse. Casey had originally thought a national inquiry was unnecessary but changed her mind based on what she’s seen. Starmer has accepted her recommendation and said it’s the “right thing to do.”
The scandal, which began in the 2010s, saw mostly white girls exploited, assaulted, and raped by groups of men of British-Pakistani heritage. Police and social services were often criticized for failing to help victims and their families.
Musk’s inflammatory social media posts in January reignited attention on the issue, with opposition leader Kemi Badenoch calling for a full national inquiry since then. She accused Starmer of “six wasted months” and urged swift action to ensure the inquiry is done properly and quickly. Survivors of the grooming gangs have welcomed the announcement, but demand justice soon, not in several years’ time.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/14/world/europe/britain-child-sex-abuse-inquiry.html