Victims prevented from attending interview with potential chairs of grooming gang inquiry

Members of the panel were invited to apply to speak with the prospective chairs last week, but were advised that space was limited.

Some members of the panel have shared frustration with GB News about the limits on attendance, claiming that it will limit their ability to assess the suitability of the potential chairs.

Former senior police officer and head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, Jim Gamble, and senior social worker and former director of Children’s Services for Lambeth London Borough, Annie Hudson, will meet with some members of the survivors' panel on Tuesday.

Ahead of the meeting, panel members have been asked to submit two questions, to be reviewed in advance by the Home Office team.

GB News understands that the panel team pushed for the early submissions to prevent the duplication of questions.

Panellists have also been given guidance on what to consider when assessing the qualities and approach that would be appropriate for the inquiry’s chair.
The guidance includes four bullet-points on inclusivity, trust, transparency, and balance.

It also suggests questions on independence and accountability, concerns raised by many grooming gang victims due to the two leading candidates having senior roles in policing and social work.

The Conservatives and a host of legal figures have argued in recent days that the inquiry must be chaired by a senior judge.

Last week, GB News disclosed fears raised by several survivors on the panel that the inquiry’s scope appeared to be expanded to cover CSE (child sexual exploitation) beyond grooming gangs.

Some victims also shared concerns about efforts to push for ‘region-wide’ investigations instead of targeted probes in specific areas.

It comes as two grooming gang victims have quit the panel, citing concerns about the expansion of the scope of the probe away from the abuse rings.

Fiona Goddard, from Bradford, and Ellie-Ann Reynolds, from Barrow have both published letters announcing their decision to quit.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The abuse of children by grooming gangs is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable. We will do everything in our power to ensure these crimes never happen again.

“We are working urgently to appoint the best Chair to take forward this work, to get to the truth and deliver justice to the survivors. It would be wrong to provide a running commentary on that process while it is still underway.”