After GB News exclusively revealed that Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips blocked efforts to launch a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal, the People's Channel asks its members if now is the time for Sir Keir Starmer's Government to act.
Phillips, who faced further calls to launch an inquiry from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, responded to two letters from the Oldham Council executive after the authority voted to write to the Home Secretary requesting a formal Public Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in the borough.
Oldham Council also voted to continue its work with survivors and others affected in preparing the framework and to commission an independent inquiry should the Home Office refuse the above request.
However, Phillips's letter to the council, seen by GB News, confirms that the Government will not intervene.
The Minister said that she understands "the strength of feeling that a further inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham should be undertaken".
Phillips added that she was "very sorry for the delay" in responding to both of the executive's letters.
But the Birmingham Yardley MP said that she believed "it is for Oldham Council alone to decide to commission an inquiry into child sexual exploitation locally, rather than for the Government to intervene".
The Minister continued: "I welcome the Council's resolution to do so, as set out in your letter, and to continue its important work with victims and survivors."
Oldham Council’s Labour group dramatically agreed to support an independent inquiry after losing majority control in May's local elections.
Greater Manchester's Combined Authority found in 2022 that police and the local authority in Oldham failed to protect children from sexual abuse.
However, many local survivors of abuse feel as though the report did not go far enough.
A grooming gang survivor from the town told GB News back in May that she was concerned about the council’s plans for an inquiry.
Sam told The People's Channel: "A Government inquiry is the only way to hold Oldham Council and GMP accountable for their huge failures that led to hundreds of survivors being mistreated and not listened to.
"A Telford-style inquiry will give answers to survivors but it won’t give justice to those who deserve it."
A Home Office spokesman said: "No child should ever suffer sexual abuse or exploitation. Everyone who is responsible for children's welfare must learn from past mistakes and do everything possible to prevent future failures."
Despite the Tories calling for a national inquiry, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "Talk is cheap. The Conservatives had 14 years in Government to launch an inquiry.
"The establishment has failed the victims of grooming gangs on every level."
A Labour Party statement, which was released in response to the Tories' letter yesterday, added: "Child sexual abuse and exploitation are the most horrendous crimes and the Home Office supports police investigations and independent inquiries to get truth and justice for victims.
"We have supported both the national overarching inquiry into child abuse which reported in 2022, and local independent inquiries and reviews including in Telford, Rotherham and Greater Manchester.
"This Government is working urgently to strengthen the law so that these crimes are properly reported and investigated."
Do you think there should be a national inquiry into the UK’s grooming gangs scandal? Vote in our poll and have your say in the comments section below.
Find Out More...
Phillips, who faced further calls to launch an inquiry from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, responded to two letters from the Oldham Council executive after the authority voted to write to the Home Secretary requesting a formal Public Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in the borough.
Oldham Council also voted to continue its work with survivors and others affected in preparing the framework and to commission an independent inquiry should the Home Office refuse the above request.
However, Phillips's letter to the council, seen by GB News, confirms that the Government will not intervene.
The Minister said that she understands "the strength of feeling that a further inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham should be undertaken".
Phillips added that she was "very sorry for the delay" in responding to both of the executive's letters.
But the Birmingham Yardley MP said that she believed "it is for Oldham Council alone to decide to commission an inquiry into child sexual exploitation locally, rather than for the Government to intervene".
The Minister continued: "I welcome the Council's resolution to do so, as set out in your letter, and to continue its important work with victims and survivors."
Oldham Council’s Labour group dramatically agreed to support an independent inquiry after losing majority control in May's local elections.
Greater Manchester's Combined Authority found in 2022 that police and the local authority in Oldham failed to protect children from sexual abuse.
However, many local survivors of abuse feel as though the report did not go far enough.
A grooming gang survivor from the town told GB News back in May that she was concerned about the council’s plans for an inquiry.
Sam told The People's Channel: "A Government inquiry is the only way to hold Oldham Council and GMP accountable for their huge failures that led to hundreds of survivors being mistreated and not listened to.
"A Telford-style inquiry will give answers to survivors but it won’t give justice to those who deserve it."
A Home Office spokesman said: "No child should ever suffer sexual abuse or exploitation. Everyone who is responsible for children's welfare must learn from past mistakes and do everything possible to prevent future failures."
Despite the Tories calling for a national inquiry, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "Talk is cheap. The Conservatives had 14 years in Government to launch an inquiry.
"The establishment has failed the victims of grooming gangs on every level."
A Labour Party statement, which was released in response to the Tories' letter yesterday, added: "Child sexual abuse and exploitation are the most horrendous crimes and the Home Office supports police investigations and independent inquiries to get truth and justice for victims.
"We have supported both the national overarching inquiry into child abuse which reported in 2022, and local independent inquiries and reviews including in Telford, Rotherham and Greater Manchester.
"This Government is working urgently to strengthen the law so that these crimes are properly reported and investigated."
Do you think there should be a national inquiry into the UK’s grooming gangs scandal? Vote in our poll and have your say in the comments section below.
Find Out More...