Grooming gangs inquiry will leave ‘no hiding place’ for those involved, home secretary vows

The national inquiry into grooming gangs will leave “no hiding place” for those involved in the scandal, the home secretary has warned.

Shabana Mahmood’s vow comes amid accusations the inquiry is “descending into chaos” – with Home Office minister Jess Phillips called a “liar” for disputing allegations that the inquiry is being diluted.

Three survivors have resigned from its liaison panel in recent days over concerns about how the process is being handled, while a frontrunner to chair the inquiry has also pulled out.

While Ms Mahmood acknowledged there are frustrations about the pace of progress towards launching the inquiry – which had been announced back in June – she said its scope “will not change”.

In an article for The Times, she vowed the probe “will never be watered down on my watch” – and said it will focus on how “some of the most vulnerable people in this country” were abused “at the hands of predatory monsters”.

“In time, we came to know this as the ‘grooming gangs’ scandal, though I have never thought the name matched the scale of the evil. We must call them what they were: evil child rapists,” Ms Mahmood wrote.

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Fiona Goddard resigned from the liaison panel after citing a “toxic, fearful environment” and “condescending and controlling language” used towards survivors.

Ellie Reynolds also quit – saying the “final turning point” was the “push to widen the remit of the national inquiry in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse”.

A third known as Elizabeth – which is not her real name – followed yesterday afternoon.

Ms Mahmood said “the door will always remain open to them” if they decide to return to the liaison panel.

“But even if they do not, I owe it to them – and the country – to answer some of the concerns that they have raised,” she added.

The home secretary also insisted the inquiry will be “robust and rigorous” – with the power to compel witnesses, and examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders.