A candidate who was being considered to lead the inquiry into grooming gangs has withdrawn today, accusing Kemi Badenoch of politicizing the investigation and using victims for political gain. This development follows Keir Starmer’s assurance that the probe will not be compromised despite the withdrawal of four survivors who expressed doubts about the process.
The government faced upheaval when four survivors of horrendous abuse resigned, citing a lack of faith in the system. Subsequently, another potential chair for the inquiry, former police officer Jim Gamble, also stepped back, criticizing politicians for prioritizing personal and political agendas over the inquiry’s integrity.
During a session of PMQs, Kemi Badenoch highlighted the words of a survivor, Fiona Goddard, who questioned the purpose of speaking out if they would only be labeled as liars. Goddard and another survivor, Ellie-Ann Reynolds, resigned from the inquiry’s victims and survivors liaison panel.
In an interview with Times Radio, Jim Gamble expressed disappointment in how Badenoch and others engaged with the inquiry, emphasizing the need for a more collaborative and victim-centered approach. He suggested that the chair of the probe should be chosen through public interviews before a Parliamentary committee to ensure transparency.
Gamble called for unity among politicians from all parties to chart a path forward, urging them to set aside divisive tactics and focus on a shared objective. He emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue promptly to prevent future generations from enduring the same suffering as the current victims and survivors.