Grooming gangs scandal 'needs national reckoning': Rising star Labour MP demands 'hold them to account'

Christopher Hope

By Christopher Hope


Published: 13/06/2025

- 05:00

The UK needs a "national reckoning" on the rape gangs scandal according to a rising star Red Wall MP.

Jonathan Hinder, Labour MP for Pendle and Clitheroe, told GB News' Chopper's Political Podcast: "We need a national reckoning on this.

"And I would say that we should be seriously thinking about whether a national inquiry is required."

Hinder - a member of the 'blue Labour' group of MPs - said that the audit of the scandal by Baroness Casey would inform next steps.

Hinder said: "It is the idea that things have been covered up because of cultural sensitivities. We cannot have that. If we want to have trust [in law and order].

"It undermines the kind of cohesive communities that we want. So we need to ensure that those who are responsible are held to account. and really encouraged that the police are making really good progress in terms of the arrests and prosecutions.

"That is really good. But in terms of the system, in terms of the councils and police officers as well that's what needs to be looked at."

He said: "I don't know whether going through inquiry after inquiry is necessarily what the victims want. If we don't feel like we have had that cultural shift to call out these things, no matter the race, no matter the religion, etc., and then we should be considering that."

Listen to Chopper's Political Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or watch it on GB News' YouTube channel

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