Prime Minister maintains that the grooming gangs national inquiry is not being watered down

Evening Standard

Kemi Badenoch tells the Commons that Sir Keir Starmer had previously rejected a national inquiry during the first PMQs of this year, and she points out that, despite his statements, survivors have resigned from the inquiry.Sir Keir emphasises that the inquiry’s scope will not be reduced and that it will address cultural and religious factors.He adds that Baroness Louise Casey has been appointed to assist with the inquiry.The Prime Minister stresses that placing survivors at the centre is the top priority and notes that his government has reopened 12,000 previously closed historical cases.

Transcript

00:00Mr. Speaker, four victims on the Rape Gang Survivors Panel have resigned.

00:04And they've resigned because they've lost all confidence in the government's inquiry.

00:10So I'm giving my first question to one of them, to Fiona.

00:14She said, being dismissed and contradicted by a minister when you're telling the truth

00:21takes you right back to that feeling of not being believed all over again.

00:28Fiona's question is simple.

00:30What's the point in speaking up if we're just going to be called liars?

00:34Prime Minister.

00:36Can I thank her for raising that on behalf of Fiona?

00:38And let me give Fiona and the House my answer, Mr Speaker,

00:42because the grooming scandal was one of the worst scandals of our time.

00:47Women and girls were abused and exploited by predatory gangs of men.

00:52And survivors have been ignored for many years,

00:56including by the state that, of course, is supposed to protect them.

01:00My vow to Fiona and them is that this national inquiry will change that.

01:06I do acknowledge that in recent days, some members, including Fiona,

01:09have decided to step away from the panel.

01:12I say this, Mr Speaker, should they wish to return, the door will always be open.

01:18But even if they do not, we owe it to them and to Fiona and to the country to answer the concerns that they have raised.

01:27The inquiry is not and will never be watered down.

01:31Its scope will not change.

01:34It will examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders.

01:37And we will find the right person to chair the inquiry.

01:42I can tell the House today, Mr Speaker, that Dame Louise Casey will now support the work of the inquiry.

01:49And it will get to the truth.

01:52Injustice will have no place to hide.

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