UK Government to Launch Full Statutory Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
In a significant U-turn, the UK government has announced that it will establish a full statutory inquiry into grooming gangs, a decision that has been welcomed by campaigners and critics alike. The news was confirmed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a Q&A session with reporters on the way to the G7 summit in Canada.
According to The Guardian, Starmer’s announcement marks a significant shift in the government’s stance on the issue, which has been a contentious topic in British politics throughout 2025. The decision comes after months of pressure from campaigners and politicians, including the Conservative Party and Reform UK, who have demanded a fuller national investigation into the phenomenon of sexual abuse gangs that have sprung up in towns across the UK.
The issue has been further complicated by the involvement of Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, who has taken a sudden interest in the subject and has been posting furiously and often misleadingly about it. Musk’s comments have been criticised by many, including Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, who has been a vocal advocate for tackling violence against women.
As The Guardian reports, the government’s initial response to the issue was to argue that the best course of action was to implement the recommendations of an existing inquiry completed by Prof Alexis Jay in 2022. However, this stance began to shift in the face of mounting pressure, and the government eventually announced that the crossbench peer and safeguarding expert Louise Casey would conduct a review of the grooming gang evidence based on smaller local inquiries.
Casey has now completed her review and has recommended a full national inquiry, which will be set up. According to The Guardian, this development has been welcomed by many, including campaigners and critics who have long argued that a statutory inquiry is necessary to get to the bottom of the issue.
The Home Office has also announced plans to work with local police forces to try to prosecute grooming gang cases that happened years ago. This move is seen as a significant step forward in tackling the issue, which has been criticised for being mishandled by the authorities in the past.
In response to the announcement, some critics of Starmer, including Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, have expressed anger that the prime minister allegedly described supporters of a new inquiry as "far right". However, as The Guardian notes, this is an over-interpretation of Starmer’s actual comments, who went no further than saying they were "amplifying" some far-right demands.
The issue of grooming gangs is a complex and contentious one, and it is clear that the government’s announcement will not completely quell the political anger over the subject. However, as The Guardian reports, the hope is that the new inquiry will help replace some of the invective with facts and provide a clearer understanding of the issue.
As the government moves forward with the inquiry, it will be closely watched by campaigners, critics, and the wider public. The issue has highlighted the need for a more nuanced and informed discussion about the complexities of grooming gangs and the challenges of tackling them.
The government has confirmed that the inquiry will be established, and it is expected to provide a comprehensive and detailed examination of the issue. As The Guardian notes, this development marks a significant step forward in addressing the issue of grooming gangs, and it is hoped that it will lead to a more informed and effective approach to tackling this complex problem.
The UK government has faced criticism for its handling of the issue, with many accusing it of being slow to respond to the problem and of not doing enough to support victims. The announcement of a full statutory inquiry is seen as a significant step towards addressing these concerns and providing a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Home Office said: "The government is committed to tackling the issue of grooming gangs and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice. The announcement of a full statutory inquiry is a significant step forward in addressing this complex problem, and we will work closely with campaigners, critics, and the wider public to ensure that the inquiry is comprehensive and effective."
The inquiry is expected to provide a detailed examination of the issue of grooming gangs, including the scale of the problem, the experiences of victims, and the challenges of tackling the issue. It is hoped that the inquiry will provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue and inform a more effective approach to addressing it.
The government has confirmed that the inquiry will be established as soon as possible, and it is expected to begin its work in the coming months. As The Guardian reports, the inquiry will be a significant development in addressing the issue of grooming gangs, and it is hoped that it will lead to a more informed and effective approach to tackling this complex problem.
Source: The Guardian – Keir Starmer makes deft U-turn mid-air over grooming gangs inquiry
