Keir Starmer’s national inquiry into grooming gangs is facing a major setback after a key survivor representative resigned, citing political interference, mistrust in the process, and concerns that the government is failing to take the issue seriously, as new allegations emerged that London’s mayor is downplaying evidence of similar abuse in the capital.
Fiona Goddard, who was abused by an organized street gang in Bradford while living in a children’s home, resigned on Monday, October 20th, from the victims survivor liaison panel. She said she could not support the process after learning that the shortlist for inquiry chair included former chief constable Jim Gamble and Annie Hudson, the chair of the child safeguarding practice review panel.
In an email announcing her decision, Goddard explained that the shortlist for chair is embarrassing for the victims, since “[o]ne has a background in policing and the other, a social worker. The very two services that contributed most to the cover-up of the national mass rape and trafficking of children.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp MP commented on the situation in a TV interview with GB News. The MP highlighted how the government was reluctant to introduce an inquiry into the grooming gangs issue and chose to smear anybody as far-right if they demanded an action.
“This inquiry needs to be run by a judge,” said Philp, who is wary of the conflicts of interests if former officers and social workers are handling the case instead of a qualified judge. In his view, the scope of the inquiry is increasing to draw attention away from the cover-up, when that should be the focus of the case.
The inquiry’s difficulties come as fresh controversy surrounds London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has been accused of “turning a blind eye” to grooming gangs in the capital. The investigation uncovered evidence of young girls being raped in hotels by groups of men, with cases spanning nearly a decade.
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson said, “There is real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London, and for the Mayor to have potentially turned a blind eye is utterly shameful.”
Former Detective Constable Maggie Oliver said in an interview that Sadiq Khan has repeatedly stonewalled all internal questions based on evidence from the police and refused to comment on anything happening. Oliver highlighted that, as mayor, he must have read the reports and would know what each case entails. “It’s another dirty tricks campaign,” she said, referencing the national inquiry with the chair being cherry-picked to “water down what this national inquiry should be.”
Despite this, Khan has dismissed claims of a cover-up. A spokesperson for the mayor said, “The Mayor has always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority and nowhere is this truer than in safeguarding children. Sadiq is committed to doing all he can to protect children in London from organised criminal and sexual exploitation and bring perpetrators to justice.”
