Labour MPs Demand National Investigation into Rape Gangs in Britain
A group of Labour MPs has seemingly reversed their stance on the proposal for a nationwide investigation into rape gangs and is now in support of it. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Calls for a nationwide inquiry into grooming gangs and the authorities' management of the sex-abuse scandal have intensified, as Labour MP Sarah Champion, representing Rotherham, emphasized that such an investigation is essential for restoring public trust.
Champion, who advocates for women and children's rights and represents an area notorious for high rates of rape, issued her statement on Monday, declaring that child sexual abuse has become endemic in the UK and should be treated as a national priority.
“It is clear that the public distrusts governments and authorities when it comes to preventing and prosecuting child abuse, especially child sexual exploitation,” she stated.
This position marks a notable shift from Champion's previous stance, as she had seemingly dismissed the idea of an inquiry just a week prior. During a Commons debate regarding a Conservative amendment to a child protection bill aimed at launching a national inquiry into grooming gangs, she had recommended the immediate implementation of recommendations from the 2022 Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse instead.
“With the best will in the world – you all know me; I am not making a party-political point – another inquiry will mean another ten years of waiting,” she had argued.
The Tory amendment was defeated in a significant parliamentary vote, with 364 MPs voting against it and only 111 in favor. All 411 Labour MPs either voted against or abstained from the proposal.
Earlier on the same day, Labour MP Paul Waugh, representing Rochdale—another area affected by grooming gangs—echoed similar sentiments in an interview with BBC News.
“I’m not against a national inquiry but it has got to have some key caveats,” he expressed, voicing concerns about the potential re-traumatization of victims as they recount their experiences. He also highlighted the need for the inquiry not to interfere with ongoing police investigations.
The UK has been grappling with the issue of grooming gangs, predominantly involving men of Pakistani descent, who have been implicated in the systematic rape and abuse of vulnerable girls for decades. Numerous independent inquiries have pointed out that public authorities have often failed to properly investigate these crimes or hold perpetrators accountable, frequently opting to conceal these incidents.
The controversy surrounding this issue has recently gained momentum, particularly due to statements from US billionaire Elon Musk, who has criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and called for his resignation and prosecution. Musk accused Starmer, who led the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service from 2008 to 2013, of not adequately addressing the grooming gangs issue. In response, Starmer condemned Musk’s remarks as “lies and misinformation” and has dismissed calls for a new inquiry.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
Champion, who advocates for women and children's rights and represents an area notorious for high rates of rape, issued her statement on Monday, declaring that child sexual abuse has become endemic in the UK and should be treated as a national priority.
“It is clear that the public distrusts governments and authorities when it comes to preventing and prosecuting child abuse, especially child sexual exploitation,” she stated.
This position marks a notable shift from Champion's previous stance, as she had seemingly dismissed the idea of an inquiry just a week prior. During a Commons debate regarding a Conservative amendment to a child protection bill aimed at launching a national inquiry into grooming gangs, she had recommended the immediate implementation of recommendations from the 2022 Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse instead.
“With the best will in the world – you all know me; I am not making a party-political point – another inquiry will mean another ten years of waiting,” she had argued.
The Tory amendment was defeated in a significant parliamentary vote, with 364 MPs voting against it and only 111 in favor. All 411 Labour MPs either voted against or abstained from the proposal.
Earlier on the same day, Labour MP Paul Waugh, representing Rochdale—another area affected by grooming gangs—echoed similar sentiments in an interview with BBC News.
“I’m not against a national inquiry but it has got to have some key caveats,” he expressed, voicing concerns about the potential re-traumatization of victims as they recount their experiences. He also highlighted the need for the inquiry not to interfere with ongoing police investigations.
The UK has been grappling with the issue of grooming gangs, predominantly involving men of Pakistani descent, who have been implicated in the systematic rape and abuse of vulnerable girls for decades. Numerous independent inquiries have pointed out that public authorities have often failed to properly investigate these crimes or hold perpetrators accountable, frequently opting to conceal these incidents.
The controversy surrounding this issue has recently gained momentum, particularly due to statements from US billionaire Elon Musk, who has criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and called for his resignation and prosecution. Musk accused Starmer, who led the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service from 2008 to 2013, of not adequately addressing the grooming gangs issue. In response, Starmer condemned Musk’s remarks as “lies and misinformation” and has dismissed calls for a new inquiry.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
