Tories demand inquiry into grooming gangs scandal as Elon Musk attacks Starmer
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Billionaire’s latest criticism of PM prompts Kemi Badenoch to call for a ‘long overdue’ inquiry into Oldham rape gangs – but her remarks are condemned by Nigel Farage. Sir Keir Starmer is being assailed by both the Tories and Elon Musk over his handling of the Oldham grooming gangs scandal, in an explosive row which threatens to overshadow the return of parliament.
![[The Labour leader is under pressure from Elon Musk and Kemi Badenoch]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/02/15/INDYSPLIT_NEWS_ELON_RR.jpg)
The row spread across British politics as Reform leader Nigel Farage then waded in, criticising the Tories for failing to hold an inquiry while in office. In the extraordinary new year spat:. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp and shadow safeguarding minister Alicia Kearns also piled further pressure on the government, penning a letter to Ms Phillips and home secretary Yvette Cooper.
![[Nigel Farage took aim at Kemi Badenoch’s intervention]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/01/10/Screenshot-2025-01-01-at-10.58.36.jpg)
The row was triggered after GB News reported the government has formally rejected requests for a Home Office-led inquiry into historic child abuse in Oldham. Ms Phillips responded to two letters from the Oldham Council executive after the authority voted to request a formal public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in the borough, insisting it was “for Oldham council alone” to decide whether to launch an investigation into alleged exploitation between 2011 and 2014.
The last Tory government also rejected a similar request from Oldham council for a public inquiry, saying it is for local authorities to commission local inquiries. Responding to the criticism, a Labour spokesperson pointed out that the party called for and supported a national inquiry into child sexual abuse under Professor Alexis Jay, which concluded in 2022, as well as supporting an independent review commissioned by Mayor Andy Burnham which covered Oldham.
