Members of Parliament to Vote on Conservative Amendment Urging Inquiry into Grooming Gangs

January 8, 2025 TruthUSA

The demand for a statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation is being made in the midst of an ongoing discussion involving MPs and tech billionaire Elon Musk.

MPs are set to vote on a proposed Conservative amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which includes a national inquiry into grooming gangs.

The decision, made by Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, followed an exchange between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and opposition leader Kemi Badenoch on Wednesday.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer urged Badenoch to retract her amendment to the government’s bill, stating that a new inquiry could delay efforts to address child sexual abuse, as the recommendations from the 2022 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) had not yet been implemented.

After condemning the amendment as “short-sighted,” Starmer emphasized the importance of the Children’s Wellbeing Bill, highlighting it as crucial for protecting the most vulnerable individuals in society.

The government’s bill aims to improve child protection and raise educational standards across England.

This bill will establish a register for children not attending school, a commitment made by Labour in its manifesto, and grant local authorities the authority to enter family residences and mandate school attendance for children in unsuitable or unsafe environments.

If supported by MPs, the Conservative amendment could impede the bill’s progress, currently moving through Parliament.

Ongoing Discussion

The Conservatives’ request for a “national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focusing on grooming gangs” comes amidst the ongoing discourse involving UK MPs and tech billionaire Elon Musk.

Musk criticized Starmer, alleging that he failed to prosecute “rape gangs” during his time as director of public prosecutions and insinuated that safeguarding minister Jess Phillips “should be in prison” for rejecting calls for a public inquiry in Oldham.

The government dismissed Musk’s criticism, accusing him of overstepping boundaries and spreading misinformation.

Labour has committed to implementing the IICSA recommendations instead of launching new inquiries.

However, Badenoch stated on the social media platform X that it is “time to seek justice for the victims of the rape gangs,” announcing the party’s intention to “push for a vote on a comprehensive national inquiry into this scandal.”

During the Commons exchange, Starmer emphasized that victims and survivors of the grooming scandal “desire immediate action, not the delay of yet another inquiry.”

He acknowledged the existence of numerous inquiries, both national and local, including one covering Oldham, and stated that it is reasonable for individuals to disagree or agree on the necessity of further inquiries.

Nevertheless, Badenoch suggested that by opposing a new national inquiry, Starmer runs the risk of causing the public to suspect a cover-up. She also urged the prime minister to “act as a leader, not a lawyer.”

New Examination

The vote on Wednesday follows comments made by IICSA chair Alexis Jay, who stressed the urgency of taking action instead of pursuing additional inquiries.

She highlighted the importance of implementing the IICSA’s recommendations at a local level following an examination of historic child sexual abuse cases in areas like Rochdale, Rotherham, and various parts of the UK.

Despite a comprehensive list of recommendations, such as introducing mandatory reporting of abuse and establishing a national redress scheme for survivors, many of these recommendations have yet to be implemented.

Labour has expressed its intent to criminalize the failure to report or conceal child sexual abuse as part of the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill, expected to be introduced this spring.

The government also plans to categorize grooming as an aggravating factor in child sexual offense sentencing and introduce a new policing framework.

England’s Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza welcomed the government’s commitments but added that she will support any further investigation deemed necessary to uncover the extent of failings if new evidence emerges.

PA Media contributed to this report.

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