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Two prominent Labour MPs representing areas affected by child grooming gangs have reversed their positions and are now supporting calls for a national public inquiry, intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, and Paul Waugh, MP for Rochdale, changed their stance on Monday, just days after following party lines to vote against such an inquiry.
Champion, who previously lost her frontbench position after speaking out about Pakistani men targeting young girls, expressed her views through the BBC: “Having worked widely with victims and survivors, and front-line professionals, I have long believed that we need to fully understand the nature of this crime and the failures in the response of public bodies if we are to truly protect children.
🚨 Breaking 🚨 Rotherham MP Sarah Champion has gone against Keir Starmer. She's now called for a national enquiry into the r*pe gangs, with growing numbers of Labour MPs also rebelling.
Will we get to see justice? Will this be the end of Starmer? pic.twitter.com/oKq3OoPa5Q
— Lady Rebecca 💃🍸 🇬🇧 •#ConcernedUKCitizen• 🇬🇧 (@LadyRebecca_1) January 13, 2025
“It is clear that nothing less than a national inquiry into the failings of those in authority to both prevent, and be accountable for their failings, in relation to grooming gangs will restore the faith in our safeguarding systems.”
Champion suggested that investigations should maintain local leadership, though this approach has raised concerns about potential cover-ups similar to past incidents.
Historical investigations, including Professor Alexis Jay’s report, revealed that at least 1,400 girls in Rotherham were victimized by predominantly Pakistani grooming gangs between 1997 and 2013. Evidence showed authorities avoided addressing the issue, fearing accusations of racism or community tensions.
Rochdale’s representative, Paul Waugh, while supporting the inquiry concept, attached conditions to his backing, emphasizing the need for victim support and non-interference with ongoing police investigations.
Rochdale MP @paulwaugh couldn't throw GMP police officers under the bus quick enough after the viscious attack at Manchester Airport last summer, even before he had the full facts…here he is this morning (12/11) on @BBCPoliticsNW saying that he supports a national inquiry into… https://t.co/KjtK8A2OHS pic.twitter.com/QqvZ8Rnb18
— Dan Barker (@Barker4ReformUK) January 12, 2025
The Prime Minister faces mounting opposition to his stance against the inquiry. Starmer claims a new investigation would require seven years, similar to the Jay report’s timeline, and suggests focusing on implementing existing recommendations instead. His attempt to characterize inquiry demands as far-right propaganda met resistance from within his own party.
Labour MP Dan Carden of Liverpool Walton challenged this characterization, stating it was “not an obsession of the far-right” driving the demands but rather “disgust and outrage at these heinous crimes, their cover-up and the lack of action.”
Carden further emphasized the necessity to “question and challenge the orthodoxy of progressive liberal multiculturalism that led to authorities failing to act.”
Public sentiment appears to align against Starmer’s position, with recent polling indicating more than 75 percent of British citizens support a national investigation into grooming gangs and official negligence.
