Keir Starmer promises rape gang inquiry will investigate why 'heinous crimes were disproportionately committed by Asian men'

He assured survivors that the inquiry will look "explicitly" at the ethnicity of the criminals.

Sir Keir also wrote that survivors "must be at the heart of this inquiry" and offered his "personal commitment" to make the inquiry successful.

In the full letter, Sir Keir said: "Dear All, I wanted to reach out directly to thank you for being part of the expert panel and supporting us to set up the national inquiry into grooming gangs.

"The heinous crimes committed against you - and many others - by violent and depraved gangs were truly appalling. We know that in some areas these crimes were disproportionately committed by Asian men, and I assure you that the inquiry will look explicitly at that.

"You were also let down catastrophically by the institutions that should have protected you, and they must be held accountable. We are determined that survivors must be at the heart of this inquiry, and do not underestimate the bravery you have shown by reliving these ordeals.

"I wanted to offer my personal commitment to you in getting the inquiry right. Thank you for your continued engagement and support in this vital work. Your views and lived experience are not only valued - they are absolutely central to shaping the direction, integrity, and impact of this inquiry."

Reports and investigations into historical grooming gang cases identified that perpetrators often have a disproportionate representation from specific ethnic groups, most notably men from British Pakistani heritage.

A review, led by Baroness Louise Casey, into the rape gangs scandal admitted there was a "denial" in collecting the ethnicity of those involved.

In her review, Casey laid out a series of recommendations, including making it mandatory to collect the ethnicity and nationality of all suspects in child sexual abuse and criminal exploitation cases, and working with the police to improve the collection of ethnicity data for victims.

The baroness explained that not collecting the data "does no one in the Muslim and Pakistani community a service".

Recent turmoil has led to significant delays in the inquiry, which is expected to take months to restart.

Both candidates to head the inquiry, Jim Gamble, a former police officer and the lead candidate, and Annie Hudson, a former director of children’s services for Lambeth council, have pulled out after some survivors criticised their professional backgrounds.

Despite both candidates having had careers tackling child abuse, campaigners and survivors have argued that the police and social workers were responsible for letting down victims and believe someone with a legal background should lead the inquiry.

There are currently no candidates in the running, causing delays to the enquiry.

Four panellists, Ellie-Ann Reynolds, Fiona Goddard, Elizabeth Harper, and a woman signed only as "Jessica", quit in a letter that set conditions for their return.

The conditions include Jess Phillips standing down, the inquiry being "laser-focused" on grooming gangs, and its chair being a former or sitting judge.

They criticised Ms Phillips for labelling some of their claims about the scope of the inquiry being widened "untrue", and said they had provided evidence to the contrary.

However, other victims have threatened to walk away from the advisory panel if Ms Phillips is ousted.

A Government spokesman told GB News: "The grooming gang scandal was one of the darkest moments in this country's history.

"That is why this Government is committed to a full, statutory, national inquiry to uncover the truth.

"It is the very least that the victims and survivors of these hideous crimes deserve.

"The Home Secretary has been clear: there will be no hiding place for those who abused the most vulnerable in our society."