The national grooming gangs inquiry is in meltdown after three abuse survivors dramatically quit, blasting ministers for a cover-up. But Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood insists the probe’s focus “will not change” or be “watered down” – despite mounting outrage and delays.
Survivors Quit Over Inquiry Chaos and Chairperson Clash
Survivors have branded the inquiry’s process “a cover-up” and “toxic.” The resignations triggered a political firestorm. “Elizabeth,” a survivor using a pseudonym, quit citing a “toxic environment for survivors.” She followed Fiona Goddard, abused in a bradford/" title="Bradford" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Bradford children’s home, and Ellie Reynolds, targeted by a grooming gang in Barrow.
All three condemned the government for widening the inquiry’s remit beyond grooming gangs and slammed the shortlist for chairperson – ex-social worker Annie Hudson and former police deputy chief Jim Gamble – as unsuitable choices. Goddard said bluntly: “Policing and social work services contributed most to the cover-up.” Survivors fear the inquiry is “letting services mark their own homework.”
Chair Candidate Withdraws, Survivors Demand a Judge
In a shocking twist, Annie Hudson pulled out, leaving Jim Gamble as the clear frontrunner — but survivors are fiercely opposed. Ellie Reynolds told BBC Radio 4: “If they were serious, they wouldn’t pick a police officer or social worker. It should be a judge: totally impartial and non-biased.”
This demand echoes Conservative calls for a judge to lead the inquiry and guarantee its independence. Yet Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips rejected this, citing Baroness Casey’s advisory report which opposed a traditional judge-led probe.
Race and Religion Row Fuels Survivor Fury
Survivors accuse ministers of trying to water down the inquiry by downplaying key racial and religious factors. Most perpetrators are British Pakistani men targeting white working-class girls. Reynolds called this “the final turning point” behind her decision to quit.
Home Secretary Mahmood insisted in The Times that the inquiry will “explicitly examine the ethnicity and religion of offenders.” But survivors remain deeply sceptical after months of delay and evasive answers.
Political Chaos Mounts – What Happens Next?
- Labour’s pledge to tackle grooming gangs is at risk as survivors accuse the government of silence and inaction.
- Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp slammed the inquiry as “descending into chaos” and called for a senior judge to take charge.
- Fiona Goddard branded Minister Phillips a “blatant liar” and hinted she’ll only return if Phillips resigns – signalling serious distrust.
- Mahmood admitted with “a heavy heart” that panel vacancies remain, but promised the door is open for survivors to come back.
The clock is ticking. Mahmood promises a chair announcement will come “soon.” But survivors warn that if Jim Gamble leads, walkouts will continue. A fresh hunt for a judge could force embarrassing government U-turns. Either way, the inquiry’s credibility lies in ruins before it even starts.
