By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-01-08 14:21:03 | Updated at 2025-01-09 06:09:33
15 hours ago
The father of a Rotherham abuse grooming gangs survivor has urged Sir Keir Starmer to launch a national inquiry into the scandal.
Jack, not his real name, told GB News that the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, published in 2022, did not properly assess the atrocity.
After Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle picked a Conservative amendment calling for a vote on a national public inquiry, Jack gave a message to the Prime Minister: “Just get on with it. Let's have a national inquiry.
“They keep saying there have been inquiries. That’s right for six towns out of over 50. That's just a small percentage.”
Father of Rotherham grooming gangs survivor tells Starmer to ‘get on with’ inquiry
GB NEWS
He added: “Let’s just get on with it and put this to bed for God. People of this country deserve to know what our children are facing and they're facing it today.”
Jack was also arrested in Rotherham by officers from South Yorkshire Police when he attempted to rescue his daughter from a rape den.
He told GB News that he was detained by police officers twice in one night after his teenage daughter was being assaulted.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Harrison, who is our force lead for child sexual exploitation, said: “Exploitation of children, in all its forms, is abhorrent, and tackling it remains a priority for the force.
Sir Keir Starmer
Reuters
“Since the publication of the Jay Report in 2014, our understanding and handling of cases of child sexual exploitation (CSE) in South Yorkshire has evolved and developed considerably.
“We have shaped our policing response after listening to the experiences of victims and survivors of these horrific crimes, and their courage and bravery has instigated this crucial change to policing.
"The force has publicly recognised its past failings in terms of its response to CSE and we remain absolutely committed to safeguarding victims of exploitation in any form and conducting thorough investigations to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice."
Starmer will face today's crunch grooming gangs vote in the House of Commons in a matter of hours, with MPs expected to deliver their verdict shortly after 7pm.
Charlie Peters in Rotherham
GB NEWS
Labour MPs have been whipped to oppose Badenoch's amendment.
However, GB News also understands that Badenoch has not met with grooming gang survivors, while Starmer met with victims this morning.
A Home Office spokesman said: "No child should ever suffer sexual abuse or exploitation. Everyone who is responsible for children's welfare must learn from past mistakes and do everything possible to prevent future failures."
In response to calls for full, independent inquiry, a Government spokesman added: "No child should ever suffer sexual abuse or exploitation and it is paramount we do more to protect vulnerable children – which is why we are working at pace across Government to drive forward real action to implement the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, chaired by professor Alexis Jay.
“The comprehensive independent inquiry ran for seven years and continues to work with survivors of these heinous crimes – and this Government is committed to working closely with survivors and expert groups like Act on IICSA."
