Badenoch calls for inquiry into ‘rape gang scandal’ as Oldham probe denied

Kemi Badenoch has called for a national inquiry into the UK’s “rape gangs scandal”, after a minister denied requests to lead a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham.

The Conservative Party leader made the plea in a post on X and argued that a public inquiry into organised grooming gangs is “long overdue”.

This comes as safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said she recognised the “strength of feeling” for a Home Office-led inquiry, but the Government will not “intervene”, in a letter to Oldham Council.

“I believe it is for Oldham Council alone to decide to commission an inquiry into child sexual exploitation locally, rather than for the Government to intervene,” she said.

US billionaire Elon Musk said Ms Phillips “deserves to be in prison”, following her response to Oldham Council.

He also appeared to place blame at the Prime Minister’s door, as he argued that “rape gangs were allowed to exploit young girls without facing justice” during Sir Keir’s time as director of public prosecutions.

In her post, Mrs Badenoch wrote: “The time is long overdue for a full national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal.

“Trials have taken place all over the country in recent years but no one in authority has joined the dots.

“2025 must be the year that the victims start to get justice.”

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp reiterated calls for a national inquiry, adding: “We do need to make sure this is fully looked at and anyone responsible for not following it up is held to account.”

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One, he continued: “The issues don’t just apply in Oldham, they apply, I’m afraid, in many other towns and cities as well, and it’s I think right, now, that we look at that.

“I’m very disappointed the Labour government have been so silent on this topic.”

Mr Philp and shadow safeguarding minister Alicia Kearns wrote to Ms Phillips and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to say that only a public inquiry “can adequately encompass the national nature of these crimes and issues” and consider whether reports were ignored by the police, CPS and local council “or even covered up”.

An Oldham Council spokesman said: “Survivors sit at the heart of our work to end child sexual exploitation.

“Whatever happens in terms of future inquiries, we have promised them that their wishes will be paramount, and we will not renege on that pledge.”

Responding to Mrs Badenoch’s post, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “Talk is cheap. The Conservatives had 14 years in government to launch an inquiry.

“The establishment has failed the victims of grooming gangs on every level.”

Mr Musk responded: “Exactly. Time for Reform.”

Prior to this, Mr Musk had written on X: “In the UK, serious crimes such as rape require the Crown Prosecution Service’s approval for the police to charge suspects.

“Who was the head of the CPS when rape gangs were allowed to exploit young girls without facing justice? Keir Starmer, 2008-2013.”

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse, which published its final report in 2022, described the sexual abuse of children as an “epidemic that leaves tens of thousands of victims in its poisonous wake”.

Led by Professor Alexis Jay, the inquiry looked into abuse by organised groups following multiple convictions of sexual offences against children across the UK between 2010-2014, including in Rotherham, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Rochdale and Bristol.

In November last year, Professor Jay said she felt “frustrated” that none of the probe’s 20 recommendations had been implemented more than two years after its conclusion.

She said: “It’s a difficult subject matter, but it is essential that there’s some public understanding of it.

“But we can only do what we can to press the Government to look at the delivery of all of this.

“It doesn’t need more consultation, it does not need more research or discussion, it just needs to be done.”

Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth Rupert Lowe also called for an inquiry into the issue on Thursday, arguing it has been “disgracefully ignored and suppressed for too long”.

Mr Lowe said the British people should be able to “see for themselves the extent of the horror” and that the Government should publish “all detail”.

He added: “What is the Home Office currently doing in order to prevent ongoing grooming, rape, exploitation or abuse of young British girls? How many girls are estimated to still be involved with these gangs?

“Will they publish a full nationality breakdown of those convicted for such offences, along with the location of their crimes?”

A Labour spokesperson said the Government is “working at pace to implement the recommendations” in Professor Jay’s report.

They added: “Child sexual abuse and exploitation are the most horrendous crimes and the Home Office supports police investigations and independent inquiries to get truth and justice for victims.

“We have supported both the national overarching inquiry into child abuse which reported in 2022, and local independent inquiries and reviews including in Telford, Rotherham and Greater Manchester. This Government is working urgently to strengthen the law so that these crimes are properly reported and investigated.

“In Oldham the crimes committed by grooming gangs were horrific. Young girls were abused in the most cruel and sadistic way. Victims and the community need to know that all steps are taken to deliver justice and protect children properly in the future. We will welcome and support an independent investigation commissioned by Oldham Council which puts victims’ voices at its heart, following the examples of Telford and Rotherham.

“We also continue to support wider work commissioned by Mayor Andy Burnham into child protection issues across Greater Manchester, following the review into historic safeguarding issues in Oldham which was published in 2022.”

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.