Labour minister under fire Lucy Powell has apologised following backlash over controversial comments during a heated BBC Radio 4 Any Questions debate. Her remarks about grooming gangs triggered strong reactions from political opponents and campaigners.
Reform UK’s Tim Montgomerie asked Powell whether she had seen a recent documentary on grooming gangs. Powell responded sarcastically: “Oh, we want to blow that little trumpet now, do we? Let’s get that dog whistle out, shall we?” The reaction was swift. Critics accused the Labour minister under fire of downplaying a serious issue.
On Saturday, Powell issued a clarification. “I’m sorry if this was unclear,” she said. “I take child exploitation and grooming with the utmost seriousness.” She explained her comments targeted political point-scoring, not the issue itself.
Still, Powell faces growing scrutiny. She highlighted her experience handling child abuse cases as an MP. But critics argue her sarcasm sent the wrong message.
The debate escalated when Montgomerie attacked Labour’s diversity policies. He praised Reform UK’s plan to cut council diversity roles. Powell rejected the idea. She called it “absolutely rubbish” and challenged Montgomerie to spend a day with council staff.
When Montgomerie raised the grooming gang topic again, Powell repeated her sarcastic tone. This further fuelled the controversy. The Labour minister under fire now faces public and party pressure to rebuild trust.
Analysts say the row exposes deeper political divides over sensitive issues. The incident has become a test of Powell’s judgement and leadership. As scrutiny intensifies, the Labour minister under fire must work to repair her standing and reaffirm her commitment to safeguarding.
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