GB News national reporter Charlie Peters has delivered a moving tribute to Andrew Norfolk, the former Times journalist who exposed the Rotherham grooming gang scandal and died on May 8 aged 60.
Peters described Norfolk as a "national hero" who "conducted fearless reporting when many others shied away" from the issue.
Norfolk's groundbreaking work revealed a pattern of mainly white teenage girls being groomed by gangs of men predominantly of Pakistani heritage.
His persistence in investigating the scandal ultimately forced authorities to acknowledge and address the widespread abuse that had been overlooked for years.
Andrew Norfolk was the fearless journalist who exposed grooming gangs
GB NEWS
Despite gathering substantial evidence, Norfolk faced resistance from authorities in Rotherham who "refused to speak to him".
The GB News journalist said: "When I heard of Andrew’s passing last night, so many survivors reached out to share their memories of him, but also their thanks and their fears.
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"We need Andrew Norfolk. He knew so much, shared so much, and exposed so much. A mutual source who met with him in March told me that when they were sharing more information, Andrew urged them, 'Keep going. There is more to be done.'
"The conspiracy of silence that Andrew Norfolk faced is still ongoing.
"Last month, we revealed that a police officer was threatened with arrest after sharing details of trafficking in Bradford.
"We did not receive a response from Bradford Council when we approached them with our concerns. I believe the crisis in West Yorkshire will dwarf that of Rotherham, but still, that silence continues."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also paid tribute to Norfolk, saying he was "deeply sorry" to hear of his death.
He said: “I am deeply sorry to hear of Andrew’s death. He wasn’t just an incredibly talented reporter, at The Times and elsewhere, he was driven by the desire to call our attention to injustice and protect the most vulnerable.
“I was privileged enough to meet Andrew first-hand when I was director of public prosecutions after he broke the news of the grooming gangs scandal.
"His passion for supporting the victims of grooming gangs shone through, and he was absolutely integral to making sure we could change the rules to increase convictions of the vile perpetrators.
Charlie Peters paid a heartfelt tribute to the Times journalist
GB NEWS
“My thoughts are with Andrew’s family, loved ones and friends. I hope their memories of him and the knowledge of the difference he made to people’s lives are a comfort to them at this time.”
Norfolk retired in November 2024 after a 24-year career at The Times.
He had suffered ill health and died on May 8 after collapsing while attending a routine medical appointment.
