The only remaining candidate to lead a grooming gang inquiry has withdrawn from consideration.
It is understood that the former police officer Jim Gamble has pulled out of the grooming gang inquiry.
A Home Office spokesman said: "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 of these hideous crimes deserve," the spokesman added.
"We are disappointed that candidates to chair that inquiry have withdrawn.
"This is an extremely sensitive topic, and we have to take the time to appoint the best person suitable for the role.
"The Home Secretary has been clear: there will be no hiding place for those who abused the most vulnerable in our society."
Sir Keir Starmer defended the grooming inquiry and said "injustice will have no place to hide".
Jim Gamble has pulled out of contention
| PASir Keir was challenged at Prime Minister's Questions over the resignation of four women from the inquiry's victims and survivors panel.
The Prime Minister said the "door will always be open" should they wish to return.
"The inquiry is not and will never be watered down," Sir Keir said.
"Its scope will not change."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Keir Starmer faced a brutal grilling for the grooming gangs scandal | POOL Sir Keir said the inquiry will examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders "and we will find the right person to chair the inquiry".
"I can tell the house today, Mr Speaker, that Dame Louise Casey will now support the work of the inquiry," he added.
"It will get to the truth. Injustice will have no place to hide."
A grooming gang survivor who quit the panel said she would be open to rejoining if new chairs are proposed.
It comes amid reports that both potential chairs have quit, after GBN revealed that Annie Hudson had withdrawn from the process yesterday.
"I would be open to rejoining the panel," Jessica said.
"But he's definitely going to have to be doing the right way with the right people.
"It's going to take a lot to get that trust back. We have such little trust anywhere in these people. And to rejoin the panel is going to take a lot.
"They need to relook at the potential chairs. And number one, I think they need to allow all survivors to attend all meetings, not just pick and choose who they want in the meetings because of the time frame."
Sir Keir defended calls for Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips to resign over comments disputing the allegations that the inquiry was being watered down.
He said: "I respect the views of all the survivors, and there are different views, I accept that".
"But the Safeguarding Minister, I think, has probably more experience than any other person in this House in dealing with violence against women and girls," the Prime Minister added.
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