Grooming survivor panel asked if inquiry should look ‘beyond rape gangs’

It was asked amid several “questions for reflection” ahead of a panel meeting.

Three survivors from the panel have now quit, all citing concerns about a possible expansion of the terms of reference beyond grooming gangs, which the Government has strenuously rejected.

In a letter to the Home Affairs Select Committee last night, Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips said: “It has been reported that the Government is seeking to dilute the focus of the inquiry, either by instructing it to take a regional approach to investigations or by expanding the scope beyond ‘grooming gangs’. This is also untrue.”

In the Commons this afternoon, the minister said that the panel was independent of the Home Office. Bradford survivor Fiona Goddard, who quit the panel yesterday, said in her letter that she was concerned by a possible widening of the remit of the inquiry.

“Expanding the scope of this inquiry risks it being watered down and once again, failing to get to the truth,” she wrote.

“We have repeatedly faced suggestions from officials to expand this inquiry, and there is real fear from survivors, including myself, that it will turn into another IICSA, with grooming gang victims forgotten.”

Responding to the Jess Phillips letter today, Ms Goddard said: “When I resigned, I knew I was risking my credibility by speaking out. To have Jess Phillips tell a parliamentary committee that my concerns about scope expansion are ‘untrue’ when we were literally asked in writing whether the inquiry should take ‘a broader approach’ is devastating.

“I didn’t make this up. The documents are right there.”

“Being dismissed and contradicted by a minister when you’re telling the truth takes you right back to that feeling of not being believed all over again. Other survivors will see this and think, what’s the point in speaking up if we’re just going to be called liars? We needed honesty from this Government. Instead, we got denial and dismissal.”

Home Office sources told GB News that the minister’s statement was not contradictory and that the Government was working to narrow down the focus of the inquiry.

Department sources pointed to the second recommendation of Baroness Casey’s review, which called for “a national police operation and national inquiry, coordinating a series of targeted investigations should be launched into child sexual exploitation in England and Wales.”

GB News understands that the department is working to focus the scope of this recommendation with survivors.

But Ellie-Ann Reynolds, Fiona Goddard and Elizabeth Harper have all quit the panel, citing concerns about the scope and being asked about the widening of the scope.

GB News has also heard from survivors on the panel who want the scope to include other elements of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Shadow Home Office minister and Opposition Assistant Whip, Katie Lam MP, said: “Fiona was incredibly brave to resign, and her revelations prove what survivors have long feared: the Government is trying to water down the inquiry.

“For a minister to dismiss these concerns as ‘untrue’, only for official documents to show otherwise, is a profound betrayal of trust. Survivors have shown immense courage; they deserve honesty, respect, and justice.

“This inquiry must expose systemic failings, not become another exercise in delay or self-protection. Attempts to shift the remit to avoid confronting race and religion are exactly the evasions that enabled these crimes to be covered up.

“The government must act now: appoint a truly independent chair, publish robust terms of reference, and guarantee survivors deep and meaningful involvement.”

Kemi Badenoch has accused the Government of not being serious about getting justice for the survivors.

"This is further evidence Labour are sabotaging the Grooming Gangs inquiry," the Conservative leader said.

"From Keir Starmer telling me in January an inquiry wasn't needed, to Labour's future Deputy Leader Lucy Powell dismissing the grooming gangs scandal as 'dog whistle', Labour have never been serious about getting justice for the survivors of these appalling crimes.

"The simple truth is that Keir Starmer lacks the backbone to take the tough decisions our country needs."

A Home Office spokesman 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.

“That is why we have launched a statutory inquiry – equipped with the powers and resources required to get to the truth.

“The Government is working closely with victims from across the country so they can shape the direction and scope of the inquiry.

“The conduct and procedure of the inquiry will be a matter for the chair, but the Terms of Reference will be clear that its scope will be laser-focused, as Baroness Casey recommended.”

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