Andy Burnham backs ‘limited’ new child grooming inquiry
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A “limited” national inquiry into child grooming would ensure authorities who did not confront the scandal are held to account, senior Labour figure Andy Burnham has said. The Mayor of Greater Manchester signalled he was supportive of calls for a new nationwide investigation into the historical child sexual abuse.
While the Prime Minister and other Government figures have suggested they are open-minded about a future inquiry should survivors of grooming gangs want one, they have insisted their priority is taking actions following the 2022 probe into child sexual abuse led by Professor Alexis Jay.
On Wednesday, MPs rejected a Conservative push in the Commons for a new inquiry, which took the form of an amendment to a Government Bill aimed at bolstering child safety. The Bill – which includes measures aimed at protecting home schooled children – would have been derailed from the legislative agenda had the Tory vote succeeded, but Labour’s Commons majority meant this was deeply unlikely.
In a signal of behind-the-scenes differences within Labour, Mr Burnham said he believed there was a case for a new national inquiry, but said MPs were “right to reject” the “opportunism” of the Tory-led Commons’ vote. Labour veteran Mr Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester: “I did hear last night coming out of that debate ministers saying they are open to discussing issues now with survivors.
“I will add my voice into this and say I do think there is the case for a limited national inquiry that draws on reviews like the one that I commissioned, and the one we have seen in Rotherham, the one we have seen in Telford, to draw out some of these national issues and compel people to give evidence who then may have charges to answer and be held to account.”.
