Labour MP’s have voted down a proposed national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.
Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch tabled an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill earlier this week, calling for a full inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.
The bill was rejected in the Commons by 364 votes to 111, majority 253.
The move was branded as an “act of cowardice” by Conservatives following the vote.
The bill was rejected in the Commons by 364 votes to 111, majority 253
Commons TV
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: “It is disgusting that Keir Starmer has used his supermajority in Parliament to block a national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal.”
“Labour MPs have put their Party ahead of getting to the truth and turned a blind eye to justice for the victims. Labour MPs will have to explain to the British people why they are against learning the truth behind the torture and rape of countless vulnerable girls.
“We will not let them forget this act of cowardice.”
No10 claimed the amendment would “kill the Bill”, with Starmer saying on Wednesday that victims wanted “action now, not the delay of a further inquiry”.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir said a further inquiry could delay action on tackling child sexual abuse, saying that recommendations from a seven-year investigation which reported in 2022 had not yet been implemented.
In a heated exchange, Starmer said: “This morning, I met some of the victims and survivors of this scandal, and they were clear with me that they want action now, not the delay of a further inquiry.”
He said the Conservative leader had “jumped on the bandwagon” about grooming gangs but, while in office as children’s minister and equalities minister, “I can’t recall her once raising this issue in the House, once calling for a national inquiry”.
The Tory leader replied: “The Prime Minister called for nine inquiries in the last Parliament. Does he not see that by resisting this one, people will start to worry about a cover-up?”
GB News
She urged the former director of public prosecutions to “be a leader, not a lawyer”.
No Labour MP voted in favour of the amendment.
The 111 MPs who supported it included 101 Conservatives and all 5 Reform UK MPs.
It was defeated by a majority of 253.
After the vote, Nigel Farage posted on X: “Labour have just voted against an inquiry. What do they have to hide?”
