Keir Starmer accused of 'sabotaging rape gangs inquiry' after victims left 'silenced'

A third victim quit the national grooming gang inquiry panel earlier this afternoon, GB News exclusively revealed.

Elizabeth, not her real name, told The People's Channel she was leaving the panel because she feared there was a lack of "genuine understanding of the grooming gangs scandal".

“Many will now suspect Labour is sabotaging the grooming gangs inquiry and deliberately dragging it out beyond the next election," the Leader of the Opposition said.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch went further, putting pressure on the Prime Minister to scrap the current probe and start over.

"It has now been over four months since Keir Starmer was dragged into launching a national inquiry, yet nothing has happened. We need a judge-led inquiry with full statutory powers."

The fury came after Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips told the House of Commons last month that the Government “would not lose any more time in pursuing truth and justice for victims and survivors”.

However, no timetable has yet been set, with no chairman being appointed.

Ms Phillips faced fury from MPs in the House of Commons earlier today after being grilled on the slow progress made so far.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told Ms Phillips: "This scandal arose because young, mainly white, girls were systematically gang raped and this was covered up by those in authority because the perpetrators were mainly of Pakistani origin.

"This makes it all the more shocking that when calls for a national inquiry became public in January, the Prime Minister smeared campaigners of jumping on a far-right bandwagon.

"Comments like that are a disgrace, and are what lead to a scandal like this being covered up in the first place."

However, the Safeguarding Minister said there had been "misinformation" shared about the process.

Downing Street yesterday refused to commit to a timetable for the grooming gangs inquiry and warned against “speculation” while the process was ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's official spokesman today denied that attempts to set up the grooming gangs scandal is in crisis.

A spokesman said: "No. It is one of the greatest scandals in our country's history; we are working with victims from across the country.

"We are determined to get justice for the victims." On the scope of the inquiry, the No10 spokesman added: "A disproportionate number of Asian men have been responsible for grooming gangs."

In a statement released yesterday, a Home Office spokesman said: "The abuse of children by grooming gangs is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable.

"Any suggestion that this inquiry is being watered down is completely wrong - we are committed to delivering a robust, thorough inquiry that will get to the truth and provide the answers that survivors have so long campaigned for.

"We are working urgently to appoint the best Chair to take forward this work and deliver justice, putting victims and survivors at the heart of the process.

"We are grateful to all those who have shared their insights with us. We share the concerns around unhelpful speculation while this process is live - which is why we will not be providing a running commentary."