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

Kemi Badenoch has called for a national inquiry into the “rape gang scandal” in the UK, 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, arguing that a public inquiry into organized grooming gangs is “long overdue”.

This comes as Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips said she recognized the “strength of feeling” over a Home Office-led investigation, but that the Government will not “intervene”, in a letter to Oldham Council.

“I think it is solely for Oldham Council to decide to commission an investigation into child sexual exploitation at a local level, rather than the Government intervening,” he said.

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

He also appeared to shift the blame to the Prime Minister, arguing 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, Ms Badenoch wrote: “It is long past time for a full national inquiry into the rape gang scandal.

“Trials have been held across the country in recent years, but no authority has connected the dots.

“2025 must be the year victims start getting justice.”

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

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

“I am very disappointed that the Labor government has been so silent on this issue.”

Philp and shadow safeguarding minister Alicia Kearns wrote to Phillips and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to say only a public inquiry “can adequately encompass the national nature of these crimes and problems” and consider whether the reports They were ignored by the police, the CPS and local authorities. advice “or even covert”.

A spokesperson for Oldham Council said: “Survivors are at the heart of our work to end child sexual exploitation.

“Whatever happens in terms of future investigations, we have promised them that their wishes will be paramount and we will not break that promise.”

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

“The establishment has failed the victims of recruiting gangs at every level.”

US billionaire Elon Musk criticized Sir Keir Starmer (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA). Prior to this, Musk had written on X: “In the UK, serious crimes such as rape require approval from the Crown Prosecution Service for police to charge suspects.

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

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, which published its final report in 2022, described child sexual abuse as an “epidemic leaving tens of thousands of victims in its wake.”

Led by Professor Alexis Jay, the inquiry examined abuse committed by organized groups following multiple convictions for sexual offenses against children across the UK between 2010 and 2014, including Rotherham, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Rochdale and Bristol.

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

She said: “It is a difficult issue, but it is essential that there is some public understanding about it.

“But we can only do what we can to put pressure on the Government to look at the implementation of all this.

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

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

Lowe said the British people should be able to “see for themselves the extent of the horror” and the Government should publish “full details”.

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

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

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.