Investigation into Telford child abuse will be launched after council backing
A council-led inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Telford will go ahead after it was unanimously backed at a meeting.
Councillors voted in support of a motion for the inquiry into CSE to begin immediately at Telford & Wrekin Council’s extraordinary general meeting in front of about 250 members of the public.
National inquiry the Truth Project is set to come to Telford starting from next month, and will give victims the chance to speak to representatives of the national Jay Inquiry.
But the motion for a council-led inquiry was put forward by Conservative councillors, who said victims would not be properly supported by a national inquiry.
Opposition leader Conservative Andrew Eade said he went to last night's meeting expecting a fight.
“We demand to fight this unlawful and heinous crime in the borough. This has been a long and painful journey since we first wanted an inquiry back in 2016.
"I came here expecting a fight – and a real fight – to force this motion through,” he added.
“I have to say I really welcome the change of heart right across the floor.”
Councillor Nicola Lowery read a statement on behalf of the victims which described the impact CSE has had on them.
She said: “We deserve answers, answers that the national inquiry would take years to deliver. Do not sell us short – an independent inquiry needs to be commissioned now.”
Labour’s Lee Carter spoke on behalf of council leader Shaun Davies, who was too unwell to attend. He read a statement which said: “The work to plan a council inquiry has already started, we’ve already put aside funding and we’ve increased resources to protect the most vulnerable in our borough.”
Telford MP Lucy Allan spoke after the unanimous vote.
She turned the microphone to the audience and asked everyone to stand and congratulate CSE victim Holly Archer for coming forward.
She said: “I’m really delighted that we’ve had this important debate and that there is unanimous support for this motion.
“It’s going to give people the assurances they deserve.”
