Official announcement or statement from the UK government

UK Government Rejects National Inquiry Into Oldham Grooming Gangs Scandal, Citing Local Responsibility

Jan 1, 2025, 04:09 PM

The UK government has rejected calls for a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal in Oldham, leaving the local council to handle the investigation. Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips responded to Oldham Council's request, urging them to conduct their own inquiry instead of a government-led one. This decision has drawn criticism from former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who called for a national inquiry and the deportation of dual national groomers involved in the scandal. The issue has been highlighted by public figures like Elon Musk, who questioned the leniency towards rapists compared to the treatment of activist Tommy Robinson, who is serving an 18-month sentence in solitary confinement for contempt of court. The grooming gangs, predominantly composed of men of Pakistani heritage, have been accused of sexually exploiting an estimated 250,000 young girls across the UK, with some estimates suggesting up to a million victims nationwide. The controversy has sparked widespread debate about the handling of such cases and the need for accountability and justice for the victims.