UK Parliament Rejects National Inquiry Into Grooming Gangs With 364 Votes Against, 111 For

Jan 8, 2025, 07:44 PM

The UK Parliament has voted against a Conservative Party amendment that sought to establish a national inquiry into the so-called grooming gangs scandal. The amendment, which was attached to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, was rejected by a vote of 364 to 111, with a majority of 253. The proposal aimed to explore the historical child sexual exploitation by these gangs, but its rejection means the bill will proceed without the inquiry. Prime Minister Keir Starmer argued that previous inquiries had already addressed the issue and that a new probe would delay action needed for victims. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the decision, suggesting it might fuel perceptions of a cover-up and accused Starmer of not wanting scrutiny of potentially complicit Labour politicians.