A Conservative Party amendment calling for a national inquiry into "grooming gangs" was rejected in the House of Commons Wednesday. The amendment, part of Labour's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, failed with a vote of 111 to 364. This marks a significant political setback for the Tories.
The amendment, proposed by Ms. Badenoch, aimed to establish a statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation. Support for the amendment came from 101 Conservative MPs, along with representatives from Reform UK, the DUP, and several independent parties. No Labour MPs supported the proposal.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized the proposal, arguing that a new inquiry would delay action on existing recommendations from a 2022 report, which haven't yet been fully implemented. Starmer's spokesman highlighted victim groups' preference for immediate action over a protracted inquiry.
The debate was further fueled by Elon Musk's social media attacks on Starmer and Labour's safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips. Critics suggest the Prime Minister's opposition to the inquiry may be politically motivated, potentially highlighting his time as Director of Public Prosecutions.
While the government stressed its commitment to victim support and acknowledged the need for action on child sexual abuse, the rejection of the inquiry underscores a political divide on the issue. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the government's intention to implement the recommendations from the 2022 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
In a contrasting perspective, the Children's Commissioner expressed her support for further investigation if deemed necessary, emphasizing the urgent need for action. The differing viewpoints on the national inquiry reflect the complexities surrounding this sensitive issue.
