Jess Phillips has stated that “everything is on the table” when addressing the grooming gangs controversy – including the possibility of a new national investigation if the victims express such a desire.
The safeguarding minister informed Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby during the Electoral Dysfunction podcast that she is open to the perspectives of victims on a new panel that was introduced by the government earlier this week.
“Everything is on the table,” she remarked.
“If the victims come forward during this victims panel and assert, ‘actually, we believe a national inquiry is necessary,’ I will take their concerns seriously.”
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Her remarks follow shortly after it was revealed that she had dismissed requests from Oldham Council for a government inquiry into grooming gangs in the area, suggesting instead that the council should undertake an investigation of its own.
This led to tech tycoon Elon Musk criticizing both her and Sir Keir Starmer for not pursuing a national inquiry, accusing the Prime Minister of being “complicit” in the misconduct.
Professor Alexis Jay concluded an eight-year national inquiry into child sexual abuse in 2022, providing recommendations to the government.
Read more:
What transpired in the grooming gangs scandal?
Why the Tories’ efforts to mandate an inquiry are unlikely to succeed
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The Conservatives proposed an amendment to the Children’s Safeguarding and Schools Bill on Wednesday, demanding a statutory investigation into grooming gangs.
However, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson expressed to Sky News that the Tories “are indifferent towards children” since the amendment may impede the progress of the entire bill.
She remarked: “The initiatives I am presenting today and the legislation, in many respects, surpass expectations because they mandate all councils to establish teams dedicated to ensuring children’s safety.
“The opportunists who have emerged in recent days are not concerned about children, nor do they care about taking decisive action to prevent these issues from recurring.
“They had the opportunity to act for years, and they chose not to.”
The Conservatives had also dismissed Oldham Council’s request for a national inquiry back in 2022.
You can listen to Beth’s complete interview with Jess Phillips in a special episode of Electoral Dysfunction released on Thursday.
