Dr Renee Hoenderkamp and senior political commentator Nigel Nelson entered into a blistering row as they discussed the Government’s national inquiry into grooming gangs.
The comments come amid wider scrutiny of the national inquiry following resignations from survivors Fiona Goddard and Ellie Reynolds.
Speaking on GB News, Nigel Nelson weighed in on the controversy surrounding the grooming gangs inquiry panel.
He said survivors’ criticism of potential chairs "appears to be that they don’t like the people being considered because they’re coming from the police or social services."
Nigel Nelson questioned who they want to lead the inquiry
|GB NEWS
He explained: "That’s understandable and has some justification. But then the question is: who do you have? I think probably a judge is the answer, but it’s difficult.
"Lawyers and judges may not want to take it on because of the reputational risk. And that wasn’t the only complaint these two survivors made.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
"They also said they were being asked to submit questions in advance and weren’t being given full access to the terms of reference.
"In fact, the terms of reference had already been decided, which made the consultation largely useless."
Dr Hoenderkamp fumed in response: "You can understand why the survivors might not trust Jess, but that’s very much because our view is her refusal to meet with some of the people demanding an inquiry is what allowed the scandal to re-emerge in the first place.
"People were brought here, screaming and kicking. They did not want this inquiry to happen.
LATEST DEVELOPMENT:
"We know why they didn’t want it to happen because half of them won’t have seats at the next election because of the independents in this new sectarian politics."
Nigel Nelson fumed: "That is not fair to say."
Dr Hoenderkamp fired back: "I didn't interrupt you, so please don't insult me.
"But it's not unfair. It's not unfair. So the other issue here is whether they're doing it deliberately or whether they're just incompetent. Who can know?"
Dr Hoenderkamp said 'don't interrupt me'
|GB News
Two grooming gang victims have walked away from a Home Office panel set up to look into a national inquiry over fears of being "silenced".
In her letter of resignation, Fiona Goddard alleged the "secretive conduct and conditions imposed on survivors" on the Victims/Survivor Liaison Panel had led to a "toxic, fearful environment".
Fellow victim Ellie-Ann Reynolds also resigned, saying: "The final turning point for [her] was the push to widen the remit of the National Inquiry in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse."
The panel is supporting the Government’s national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal, which Sir Keir Starmer ordered earlier this year, after a report by Baroness Casey found that there were still widespread problems with how the state understood and tackled the issue.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
More From GB News