‘Telford model’ is more effective for child abuse inquiries, says former chair Tom Crowther KC says public inquiries seen as ‘Rolls-Royce solution’ but local review in Shropshire led to real progress.
Public inquiries are seen as the “Rolls-Royce solution” to tackling the grooming gangs scandal but local reviews are more effective, the former chair of the Telford child sexual exploitation (CSE) inquiry has said.
The Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, has joined calls for a national inquiry into grooming gangs, an issue subject to fierce debate after it was revealed the safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, turned down a request for a public inquiry into exploitation in Oldham in favour of a council-commissioned review.
The government said its main priority was implementing the recommendations of the national independent report into child sexual abuse published in 2022, and MPs rejected calls for a new national inquiry in a Commons vote on Wednesday.
Tom Crowther KC said the “Telford model” led to real progress in the Shropshire town and could be used in towns across the country looking into similar CSE scandals.
