Amid mounting pressure, Labour has sparked backlash for opting for small-scale investigations into grooming gangs rather than launching a comprehensive national inquiry.

This decision, unveiled by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, has drawn criticism from politicians, victims, and the public alike.

Local Probes Instead of National Action

Yvette Cooper announced five local reviews targeting areas heavily impacted by grooming scandals.

These reviews are part of a broader £10 million action plan that includes a “rapid audit” to assess the scale of child sexual exploitation nationwide.

The audit also aims to examine the ethnicity of perpetrators and the societal factors driving these crimes.

Despite these measures, Cooper resisted calls for a national public inquiry with powers to compel witnesses, a key demand from both victims and cross-party politicians.

Critics argue that only a full-scale inquiry can deliver justice and accountability for thousands of victims across the country.

Criticism from Politicians and Victims

Tory justice spokesperson Robert Jenrick condemned the decision, labeling the local reviews “toothless” and ineffective.

Similarly, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused the Government of perpetuating a “cover-up,” claiming the announced measures fail to address the root causes or scale of the issue.

Victims and their families have echoed these sentiments.

Elizabeth Harper, a survivor of grooming in Rotherham, described the move as a “whitewash,” emphasizing the need for a public inquiry to compel witness testimony.

Marlon West, whose daughter was a victim in Greater Manchester, expressed fears that the Government’s actions were a smokescreen to downplay the issue.

Concerns Over Resources and Scope

The Government’s plan includes appointing veteran investigator Baroness Casey to conduct a three-month review of gang-based exploitation.

However, critics noted that only £5 million has been allocated for five pilot investigations, a fraction of the funding required to tackle such a widespread issue.

Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, questioned why another inquiry in Telford is necessary when the problem is national in scope.

Calls for a National Inquiry

As of now, there are 127 major police investigations into child sexual exploitation across 29 forces, underscoring the widespread nature of the problem.

Yet, calls for a national public inquiry remain unheeded.

Supporters of such an inquiry argue it is the only way to uncover potential cover-ups and ensure lasting accountability.

Public Response and Next Steps

The announcement has reignited public outcry, with some accusing the Government of failing to prioritize victims’ needs.

Tech mogul Elon Musk, a vocal critic, weighed in, calling the measures “a step in the right direction” but urging for results to speak louder than promises.

The Government has promised to outline a timetable by Easter for implementing recommendations from the 2022 Jay review, which examined child abuse across society.

Whether these steps will satisfy growing demands for justice remains to be seen.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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