Starmer faced backlash after suggesting that calls for inquiries often stem from “far-right bandwagoning.” Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp countered, arguing, “Smearing people who raised those issues is exactly how this ended up getting covered up in the first place.”…reports Asian Lite News
Senior Conservative MPs are demanding a national inquiry into the sexual exploitation of young girls across Britain, as debates over the issue intensify following controversial comments on social media and political disagreements.
Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones and Professor Alexis Jay, who led a seven-year Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), have both urged immediate action instead of further inquiries. “What is important now is less talk and more action,” Davies-Jones stated, responding to calls for additional investigations.
The issue gained renewed attention after billionaire Elon Musk posted a series of messages on X (formerly Twitter) criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips over their handling of grooming gangs. Musk’s comments followed the Government’s decision not to commission a Home Office-led inquiry into sexual exploitation in Oldham, insisting such efforts should be locally managed.
Professor Jay emphasized the need to act on the recommendations of her inquiry, which concluded in 2022. Speaking to BBC Radio 4, she said: “Victims and survivors want action. We’ve had enough inquiries, consultations, and discussions. It’s time to get on with it, both locally and nationally.”
Starmer faced backlash after suggesting that calls for inquiries often stem from “far-right bandwagoning.” Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp countered, arguing, “Smearing people who raised those issues is exactly how this ended up getting covered up in the first place.”
While the Government confirmed it is implementing new measures, including offenses to be introduced in an upcoming Crime and Policing Bill, Davies-Jones admitted there is no timeline for full implementation of IICSA’s recommendations.
Ethnicity Debate Reignites
Debate over the ethnic makeup of grooming gang offenders also resurfaced. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick claimed that Pakistani men are “over-represented” among perpetrators and linked this to cultural attitudes toward women. He argued, “Some have preyed upon white, working-class girls because they viewed them as worthless.”
However, a 2020 Home Office study found most group-based child sexual exploitation offenders are white, and the IICSA report noted insufficient data to determine whether any particular ethnic group is over-represented.
High-profile cases in Rotherham, Rochdale, and Telford have involved predominantly Pakistani and South Asian perpetrators, while similar cases involving white offenders, such as the Camborne convictions in Cornwall, received less public attention.
Professor Jay reiterated the importance of focusing on the victims’ suffering and the lifelong effects of abuse. “I’ve heard very little about the appalling impact this has on people’s lives,” she said.
Government Response
The Government has declined to establish a dedicated Cabinet minister for children, as recommended by the IICSA report, citing existing roles within the Department for Education. Davies-Jones stressed that addressing child sexual exploitation requires collaboration across multiple government departments.
The issue remains a polarizing topic in Britain, with victims and advocates calling for decisive action to address the systemic failings that have allowed such crimes to persist.
