The grooming gangs inquiry will stay focused on organised child exploitation, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed this week. Her reassurance came after the resignation of three survivors who feared that officials might dilute the inquiry’s purpose.
Mahmood stated clearly that the investigation “will not change or be watered down.” She explained that the government plans to appoint a chair soon and emphasised the importance of “getting this right.”
In recent weeks, tensions have grown as several survivors stepped down from the inquiry panel. They expressed anger over long delays, potential changes in focus, and the controversial shortlist of potential chairs.
In her resignation letter, one survivor known as “Elizabeth” described the process as “a cover-up.” She claimed that it had created a “toxic environment” where victims felt excluded from decisions.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer launched the grooming gangs inquiry in June to investigate cases across England and Wales. The inquiry included survivors on its oversight panel to ensure transparency and accountability. However, disagreements have since deepened over its direction and scope.
Furthermore, some survivors accused officials of shifting attention from grooming gangs to broader child abuse issues. They warned that such a change could undermine the inquiry’s focus on racial and religious motivations behind these crimes.
In addition, others objected to the shortlisted chair candidates, citing potential bias. The two names under consideration—Annie Hudson and Jim Gamble—held senior positions in social work and policing. Critics argued that both had ties to institutions that had previously failed victims.
Meanwhile, Ellie Reynolds, another survivor who resigned, urged the government to appoint a judge to lead the inquiry. She said only a fully independent figure could rebuild trust and ensure credibility.
Writing in a national newspaper, Mahmood expressed sympathy for the survivors’ frustration and disappointment. She invited them to return, assuring that “the door will always remain open” for their involvement.
Moreover, the Home Secretary pledged that the inquiry would examine offenders’ ethnicity and religion. She also promised that survivors’ voices would directly shape its terms of reference and future decisions.
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips backed Mahmood’s position during a debate in Parliament. She rejected claims that the government wanted to weaken or broaden the inquiry’s focus. In addition, Phillips clarified that the survivors’ panel operates independently under a charity, not the Home Office.
However, survivor Fiona Goddard accused ministers of misleading the public about the inquiry’s direction. She alleged that several panel members were not grooming gang victims but survivors of other forms of abuse.
A Home Office spokesperson later reaffirmed that the grooming gangs inquiry remains “laser-focused” on organised exploitation. Officials stressed that consulting survivors on key issues improves fairness rather than widening the inquiry’s remit.
Nevertheless, opposition parties have criticised the government for confusion and slow progress. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the process was “descending into chaos” and demanded that a senior judge take charge.
Phillips, however, rejected this proposal, explaining that no UK institution had a flawless record. She argued that finding a credible and impartial chair remains the government’s most complex challenge.
As debate continues, the resignations have intensified scrutiny of how ministers manage this sensitive issue. The coming weeks will reveal whether the grooming gangs inquiry can regain survivors’ confidence and deliver long-awaited justice.
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