UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has defended Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs, dismissing criticism that he initially resisted the idea. The move comes after months of pressure from critics, including former detective Maggie Oliver and Labour MPs.
The prime minister had faced backlash for not calling a national inquiry, with some arguing it was necessary to address institutional failings in handling grooming cases.
Reeves said the government had never dismissed the concerns of victims, and that Starmer’s focus on addressing the issue was genuine. However, critics like Oliver say Labour and the Conservatives have both failed to confront the issue, despite receiving criticism for their handling of it.
A national inquiry is expected to be published soon, with its findings likely to shed light on institutional failings and provide recommendations for change. The move has been welcomed by charities such as the NSPCC, but some critics argue that urgent action should not delay the implementation of existing recommendations from a previous review.
The decision marks a U-turn for Starmer, who initially resisted calls for a national inquiry. However, the government has announced plans to conduct five local inquiries into grooming gangs in addition to the national inquiry.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz0d09zkyy7o