Labour to back council-led inquiry into Telford child sex abuse

Council Leader Shaun Davies said that any inquiry into sex abuse in the town would be better than no inquiry at all.

But despite agreeing to back the motion, which will be put forward by Conservative councillors at a meeting on Tuesday, he said bringing the national inquiry to Telford would still be the preferred option.

No council-led investigation is expected to begin until after a decision on the national inquiry is made.

The Truth Project is set to come to Telford starting from next month, and will give victims the chance to speak with representatives of the national Jay Inquiry.

Councillor Davies said: “What we know is that the national inquiry is coming to Telford as part of the Truth Project. After that is concluded, the national inquiry will decide if there’s any need for a Telford inquiry.

“If they come to Telford at this point, the government has said its work cannot be duplicated.

“However, if the inquiry says it won’t do any further work in the town, our position is that an inquiry is better than no inquiry.”

A council-led inquiry would not give the answers that are needed, Councillor Davies said.

It would not have the ability to force people to talk to it and it would not be able to force other organisation to co-operate.

“The national inquiry has got teeth and powers that the council just wouldn’t have,” he said.

The motion will be made at an emergency meeting of the council at Oakengates Theatre on Tuesday. The meeting will begin at 6pm.

A further meeting of the cabinet will be held in the coming weeks to further discuss a council-led inquiry.

Councillor Davies said any council-led inquiry would have to be completely independent.