Labour has come under fire after refusing to hold a public inquiry into historic sexual abuse by grooming gangs in Oldham.

What went wrong with ‘grooming gang’ cases?
Concerns about the abuse of underage girls by members of minority communities in towns in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and some Midlands counties first surfaced in 2002, when they were raised by the then-Labour MP for Keighley, Ann Cryer.

Subsequent reports and investigations confirmed that some people believed “a fear of being labelled ‘racist’ had hindered the ability of official agencies to combat the grooming and sexual exploitation”.

However, Mr Starmer did not become director of public prosecutions and head of the CPS until 1 November 2008, four years later than the Facebook posts suggest, and we can find no evidence that he intervened in prosecutions against Muslim men accused of rape, or gave instructions that they should not be pursued, with the aim of reducing anti-Islamic sentiment.

It has been recognised as an across the board failure to understand and prosecute grooming gangs of all backgrounds. Yes the ethnic element was relevant in some cases but the reports indicate failures across the board with victim blaming in many cases.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67655654

This is precisely why the Gangs Taskforce scheme was set up last year by the government
www.gov.uk/government/news/grooming-gangs-taskforce-arrests-hundreds-in-first-year

Read about the arrests made and the development of expert teams in it.

Do we need another inquiry or respect the opinions of Both Nazir Afzal and Maggie Oliver. Oliver said ““We’ve already had a national abuse inquiry – seven years, 20 recommendations and none implemented



“We need someone who is going to do something not just talk"

Why did Musk speak of Oldham crimes ?

We may resent his intrusion into British affairs but at least he is bringing these matters out into the open. Too much has been brushed aside for too long. If it takes an outsider to get justice done, so be it.

I didn’t say. I. Resent his intrusion, why a billionaire involved in
American politics is suddenly speaking of a town in England, why speak of Tommy Robinson , why is he attacking Labour government but I don’t recall his criticism of the Tory government?

Anniebach

I didn’t say. I. Resent his intrusion, why a billionaire involved in
American politics is suddenly speaking of a town in England, why speak of Tommy Robinson , why is he attacking Labour government but I don’t recall his criticism of the Tory government?

...Good Morning Anniebach

All good questions.

I'm not sure his goal is altruistic. Why now? Why make controversial and sensational comments about the UK being on the brink of civil war?

Why is he so invested in British politics?

Who cares whether he attacks Tories or Labour people? If he is speaking for the victims here ,good for him. Maybe people might actually do something about it because of his high profile. Instead of criticism he should receive praise.

“A former chief prosecutor and a police whistleblower who uncovered a notorious paedophile gang have criticised demands from senior Conservatives and the billionaire Elon Musk for a national inquiry into child sexual exploitation.
Nazir Afzal, the ex-chief prosecutor who was central to successful prosecution of the Rochdale grooming gang, said lengthy and expensive inquiries were not acted upon by the previous Conservative government…………………

……… comments follow a growing row prompted by Elon Musk, the billionaire ally of Donald Trump, who demanded a national inquiry and accused Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute child rapists in Oldham in Greater Manchester. Musk’s intervention came as part of a long stream of posts late on Wednesday night which included supportive comments about Tommy Robinson, the far-right activist who is in jail for contempt of court.”

Guardian

Unfortunately a lot of right wingers completely close their eyes to all the white abusers of young girls or boys It’s a wonderful stick to beat immigrants with
I have worked with so many people who were abused in childhood and never has it been by an Asian man
It really depends what area you live in This is not in any way defended these awful men but it should never be a stick to beat every immigrant with

It is a much much much bigger problem than immigration but it’s so easy to use it to boost your dislike and disapproval of other cultures
Musk is supporting the far right in other countries and he’s a Tommy Robinson supporter, need I say more any stick to beat anyone with a background outside little Britain seems to be the order of the day for many and for some posters on here
You can always know who started a thread without looking

It is time to re-appraise the governments use of X imo.

It is becoming a real cesspit with many commentators turning to other media outlets like bluesky

A fascist running X should not be given carte blanche and needs careful control.

nanna8

Who cares whether he attacks Tories or Labour people? If he is speaking for the victims here ,good for him. Maybe people might actually do something about it because of his high profile. Instead of criticism he should receive praise.

I think you’re missing the point. He isn’t an elected representative for his country, and he has no right to use his wealth as a platform for influencing politics in any country other than his own. He is interfering in politics all over the world (without any political background or any knowledge underpinning his comments) and is being allowed to do so, purely because of his wealth.

Good Morning Dickens thank you,

Bill Gates, interfering with cows diets worldwide.

Larry Fink, Blackrock CEO, cosying up to our PM

Nothing unique about rich men meddling in politics to gain advantages.

I suppose it depends on one’s politics who’s meddling is acceptable…

This isn’t politics. It’s an evil crime. The more publicity the better because it might force some action and save some others.

Nazir Afzal and Maggie Oliver really understand the issues around grooming gangs. We’ve had numerous inquiries, their recommendations consistent. That’s where the focus should be, on implementing recommendations. Use whatever money is available to improve investigations, prosecutions, support for victims but, especially in preventive skilled support for children and families.
My direct experience was not that police/social care/health etc were ignoring the crimes in order to avoid being accused of racism. It was more because of the complexities of prosecuting where victims were seen as likely to be destroyed by defence lawyers. I’m not denying poor practice or dreadful responses by individual police officers.
One key issue was child sexual abuse within families was investigated by dedicated, specially trained officers. Child abuse, even organised sexual exploitation like these girls experienced, was picked up by whichever uniformed officer happened to be there. There should have been force wide teams - which I expect is one of the recommendations

I’m not sure it does depend on your politics GrannyGravy13, I think it depends on whether you believe people from outside your country should get publicly involved in the internal politics of your country. Wealth provides a platform for people who are not elected to do so. I don’t care who it is, as far as I’m concerned they should butt out because it’s nothing to do with them.

S African by birth, was an illegal immigrant in US, overstayed student visa for years but now is a US citizen. EM is a dangerous person, his money is buying him huge unelected power and he operates purely from self interest. He is meddling in our politics and IMO is a potential threat to our democracy.

HousePlantQueen

This has (successfully) turned into yet another anti-Labour, pro Reform thread artfully manoeuvred by FGT. Shame on you for using the appalling rapes of children to do so.

Not true. I have castigated the Tories too in my comments of condemnation. As Wyllow reminds us, Maggie Oliver says 20 years ago recommendations were made and none have, as yet, been implemented. That alone is shocking and covers politicians of all stripes.

I feel it’s time for real change (not Starmer’s vision). That’s why I support Reform.

I cannot post links, there is a Guardian article quoting Ann Cryer who tried so hard for justice

Dickens

Anniebach

I didn’t say. I. Resent his intrusion, why a billionaire involved in
American politics is suddenly speaking of a town in England, why speak of Tommy Robinson , why is he attacking Labour government but I don’t recall his criticism of the Tory government?

...Good Morning Anniebach

All good questions.

I'm not sure his goal is altruistic. Why now? Why make controversial and sensational comments about the UK being on the brink of civil war?

Why is he so invested in British politics?

I would imagine that he has had conversations with Nigel Farage, he seems to be backing him - possibly financially but certainly on X. It isn’t too much of a stretch to imagine that there are financial incentives surrounding the future of our NHS and some kind of deal or promise has been made by Farage. Why a man so rich would want even more money I just don’t know.

Not true. I have castigated the Tories too in my comments of condemnation. As Wyllow reminds us, Maggie Oliver says 20 years ago recommendations were made and none have, as yet, been implemented. That alone is shocking and covers politicians of all stripes.

I feel it’s time for real change (not Starmer’s vision). That’s why I support Reform.

Really FGT, you acknowledge this thread was canvassing for Farage

Iam64

Nazir Afzal and Maggie Oliver really understand the issues around grooming gangs. We’ve had numerous inquiries, their recommendations consistent. That’s where the focus should be, on implementing recommendations. Use whatever money is available to improve investigations, prosecutions, support for victims but, especially in preventive skilled support for children and families.
My direct experience was not that police/social care/health etc were ignoring the crimes in order to avoid being accused of racism. It was more because of the complexities of prosecuting where victims were seen as likely to be destroyed by defence lawyers. I’m not denying poor practice or dreadful responses by individual police officers.
One key issue was child sexual abuse within families was investigated by dedicated, specially trained officers. Child abuse, even organised sexual exploitation like these girls experienced, was picked up by whichever uniformed officer happened to be there. There should have been force wide teams - which I expect is one of the recommendations

One of the problems faced was getting young girls to give evidence against their abusers. In the docu drama Three Girls we saw one of the girls intimidated by her abusers, she was told her younger sister would be raped and the family house burnt down if she said anything. There was a grooming gang four miles away from where we live, one of the girls became pregnant with one of her abusers and had a daughter with him, they set up home together but it was an abusive relationship. She became pregnant again but tried to end the relationship and went back to her parents, her ex partner set fire to her family house after removing his child and putting her in the garden, everybody except the girl’s father and the baby died. This level of intimidation and violence seemed to be the norm, no wonder the girls were scared to speak out.

It is time for action after the 20 years not more talking or inquiries. Strengthen the police body that has been specifically set up to address grooming - it has all the right moves forward in there, interagency work, police awareness, enough staff to tackle it.

FGT - I agree with Iam upthread that you are using these dreadful crimes to further your own political advertising platform, and I find it beyond distasteful you've chosen to exploit the young women in this way.

Wyllow Jess Phillips accuses the far right of the very same

Perhaps it is no different to using it to highlight concerns about Musk.
There are interesting points being made online about the use of the term grooming gang and whether that language minimises what is happening. Language is always important in safeguarding, whilst I understand that grooming is a particular method of control, I think there is a case that we should continually highlight that this is the organised rape of children.