'We must deliver!' Labour MP demands urgent progress on rape gangs probe as pressure mounts on Keir Starmer

The Home Office is yet to select a chair and the national inquiry's terms of reference are still being deliberated on.

Five MPs have now signed the Early Day Motion, which was proposed by ex-Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, calling for a full update on the appointment process of selecting a chair, information on the inquiry's budget and confirmation of the mechanisms for survivor engagement.

Tory MP Peter Bedford, Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon and independent Northern Irish MP Alex Easton joined Mr Lowe and Ms Rimmer in signing the motion.

Ms Rimmer, who was returned as the MP for St Helens South & Whiston last year, set out why she signed the Early Day Motion yesterday.

"Today, I joined colleagues from across Parliament in signing the motion calling for urgent progress on the inquiry into grooming gangs," the former Shadow Minister for Disabled People said.

"I also recently attended a Westminster event to meet rape gang survivors. I welcomed the Government’s commitment to establish this inquiry, we now need to see action.

"Too often in this country, justice delayed is justice denied. We must deliver justice for all those affected and ensure that the necessary lessons are learned, and quickly.

"This is about doing what is right: standing up for survivors and demanding the truth, not at some distant point in the future, but as soon as possible."

Responding to Ms Rimmer's statement, Mr Lowe said: "Enormous respect to this Labour MP for signing my motion urging action on the rape gang national inquiry.

"Putting country before party. Marie should be applauded."

He added: "This motion now has Labour, Conservative, Independent and DUP support.

"This goes beyond any petty party differences. That is simply irrelevant in the face of such evil from these vile gangs.

"We need to come together, to again push the Labour Government to do the right thing."

Ms Rimmer's signature also comes after GB News identified Merseyside as one of 50 areas affected by predominantly Pakistani rape gangs.

However, the 74-year-old is not the first Labour MP to break ranks with the Prime Minister over the issue of grooming gangs.

Blue Labour MP Dan Carden, who is also a Merseyside MP, became one of the first backbenchers to put pressure on Sir Keir to commission a national rape gangs inquiry.

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh, Rotherham MP Sarah Champion and Pendle & Clitheroe MP Jonathan Hinder all pushed for a national inquiry earlier this year.

After spending months dismissing calls for an inquiry, Sir Keir eventually buckled following the publication of Baroness Casey's damning review into the scandal in June.

As concerns grow about the national inquiry into rape gangs four months after it was sanctioned by Sir Keir, 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 and deliver justice for the survivors.”