The Government’s planned inquiry into grooming gangs has been dealt a further setback after a leading candidate for chair withdrew and three abuse survivors resigned from a key advisory panel, citing concerns about the process.
Senior social worker Annie Hudson has pulled out of the race to lead the inquiry, which was launched to examine how authorities responded to cases of child sexual exploitation across the country.
Her withdrawal comes as three survivors stepped down from the Victims and Survivors Liaison Panel, describing the process as “toxic” and “fearful.”
It has been reported that several candidates remain under consideration for the role, including former senior police officer Jim Gamble. The Home Office has not confirmed why Ms Hudson withdrew her application.
Survivors express frustration over inquiry process
Survivors Fiona Goddard, Ellie-Ann Reynolds, and a woman known only as Elizabeth, who remains anonymous under legal protections for victims of sexual abuse, each resigned from the panel in recent days.
In her resignation letter, Elizabeth said the process felt like “a cover-up” and had “created a toxic environment” for survivors.
Ms Goddard said there had been “secretive conduct” and “condescending and controlling language” used towards participants, warning of “a high risk of people feeling silenced all over again.”
Ms Reynolds said the “final turning point” for her was “the push to change the remit, to widen it in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse.”
Ministers face questions over inquiry direction
In Parliament, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the inquiry as “descending into chaos” and called for a judge to be appointed as chair.
He said: “Perhaps that is why, months later, the Government has said nothing substantive publicly and their inquiry is descending into chaos. What we have heard publicly is that victims and survivors on the liaison panel have no confidence in the Government and no confidence in the inquiry.”
Mr Philp also questioned whether professionals such as police officers or social workers were suitable to lead the inquiry, saying: “They do not believe people from professions that failed them so badly are suitable.”
He added that the inquiry’s scope should remain clear and focused, saying: “Will the minister confirm the scope of this inquiry will not be diluted as both Fiona and Ellie-Ann are now saying is happening, and confirm it will focus on the cover-up of the rape gang scandal, because the majority of perpetrators were of Pakistani origin?”
Government denies claims of dilution
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips rejected claims that the process was being diluted or delayed. She told MPs: “Not all victims and survivors are of the same opinion. They are not one homogenous group of people, who all think the same thing, who all want the same exposure, who all want their identities known.”
She added: “The appointment of the chair is at a critical stage, and we hope to confirm the conclusion of this soon.”
Ms Phillips said she “absolutely regrets” the resignations of two of the survivors and added: “I will engage with all the victims, regardless of their opinions, and I will listen to those that have been put in the media, that are put in panels, I will always listen and I will speak to all of them. Allegations of intentional delay, lack of interest or widening of the inquiry scope and dilution are false.”
However, consultation papers seen by Open Justice UK asked members whether the inquiry should “have an explicit focus on grooming gangs or take a broader approach.”
Ms Goddard said this contradicted Ms Phillips’ earlier comments to Parliament. “To have Jess Phillips tell a parliamentary committee that my concerns about scope expansion are ‘untrue’ when we were literally asked in writing whether the inquiry should take ‘a broader approach’ is devastating,” she said. “Being dismissed and contradicted by a minister when you’re telling the truth takes you right back to that feeling of not being believed all over again.”
Downing Street response
A Downing Street spokesperson denied that the inquiry was in crisis, saying: “The grooming gangs scandal was one of the greatest failures in our country’s history. Vulnerable young people were let down time and time again. We are working with victims from across the country, listening to their individual experiences, to finally get justice.”
The spokesperson added: “Our priority is getting it right. The original child sexual abuse inquiry had three chairs withdraw before Professor Alexis Jay was appointed in 2016. We are determined not to let victims down again.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The abuse of children by grooming gangs is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable. Any suggestion that this inquiry is being watered down is completely wrong. We are committed to delivering a robust, thorough inquiry that will get to the truth and provide the answers that survivors have so long campaigned for.”
Main Image: For illustration purposes only. Image created with AI.
