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Grooming gangs in London

(392 Posts)
Primrose53 Mon 20-Oct-25 22:38:38

Big U turn tonight from the Police who now say there ARE grooming gangs in London despite Sadiq Khan saying otherwise. Should have listened to Maggie Oliver. 😉

This needs updating but explains some of it

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2122808/sadiq-khan-grooming-gang-files#

Oreo Wed 22-Oct-25 13:28:14

Rosie51

Excellent post TerriBull

Jess Phillips gives the impression of being more concerned with hanging on to her position than with addressing the climate that allowed what was done to these survivors.

Agree,
Jess Phillips is an MP in a Birmingham ward and am wondering if she’s been leant on there by councillors and business leaders and others who resent any focus on Pakistani heritage men being under scrutiny?
If she was an MP in Hampshire or Surrey would things be different?

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Wed 22-Oct-25 13:28:26

I think this is going to blow up in Starmer’s face to be honest.

growstuff Wed 22-Oct-25 13:28:41

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Badenoch is calling for Jess Phillips to be sacked but Starmer is standing by her.

Yes, well, that's no surprise.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Wed 22-Oct-25 13:29:18

growstuff

FriedGreenTomatoes2

5 months on and nothing progress yet.
Cynics are starting to say it’s kicking the can down the road until after the May elections - as these allegedly complicit councils are Labour run.

Sorry, I'd rather they got it right from the start rather than rush through and keep having to stop if people resign or don't agree with the terms of the enquiry. I don't think five months is excessive, given how long it's been since the grim details were uncovered.

I think 5 months IS excessive with no progress.
We will have to agree to disagree.

petra Wed 22-Oct-25 13:29:31

growstuff

petra

If you have the time listen to the wonderful brave Times Reporter who got the story out nationally.
Andrew Norton.
And that started with a phone call from another wonderful brave woman: Anne Cryer.
I don’t use the word brave lightly.
If people like Maggie Oliver have to have protection and Nazir Hafzel have had their and their families lives threatened you are a brave man and woman to take on this evil.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0026ncy

Unfortunately, I don't subscribe the Times. Thanks for the link - I'll listen to it.

growstuff
It’s not a link to The Times, it’s a link to BBC sounds. It says that in the link.

Oreo Wed 22-Oct-25 13:29:51

But in any case the survivors need to be listened to, they have no faith in ex police or ex social services people.The Chair needs to be totally impartial.

growstuff Wed 22-Oct-25 13:30:48

Oreo

Rosie51

Excellent post TerriBull

Jess Phillips gives the impression of being more concerned with hanging on to her position than with addressing the climate that allowed what was done to these survivors.

Agree,
Jess Phillips is an MP in a Birmingham ward and am wondering if she’s been leant on there by councillors and business leaders and others who resent any focus on Pakistani heritage men being under scrutiny?
If she was an MP in Hampshire or Surrey would things be different?

No, I don't think they would. Jess Phillips has a record of standing up against Pakistani bullies. I'd be surprised if she's been leant on (but it's not impossible). What you're claiming is speculation.

growstuff Wed 22-Oct-25 13:31:40

petra

growstuff

petra

If you have the time listen to the wonderful brave Times Reporter who got the story out nationally.
Andrew Norton.
And that started with a phone call from another wonderful brave woman: Anne Cryer.
I don’t use the word brave lightly.
If people like Maggie Oliver have to have protection and Nazir Hafzel have had their and their families lives threatened you are a brave man and woman to take on this evil.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0026ncy

Unfortunately, I don't subscribe the Times. Thanks for the link - I'll listen to it.

growstuff
It’s not a link to The Times, it’s a link to BBC sounds. It says that in the link.

I realised that. I didn't think it was a ink to the Times. They were two separate statements.

growstuff Wed 22-Oct-25 13:32:13

FriedGreenTomatoes2

growstuff

FriedGreenTomatoes2

5 months on and nothing progress yet.
Cynics are starting to say it’s kicking the can down the road until after the May elections - as these allegedly complicit councils are Labour run.

Sorry, I'd rather they got it right from the start rather than rush through and keep having to stop if people resign or don't agree with the terms of the enquiry. I don't think five months is excessive, given how long it's been since the grim details were uncovered.

I think 5 months IS excessive with no progress.
We will have to agree to disagree.

Have you ever been involved in setting up a national enquiry?

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Wed 22-Oct-25 13:32:47

I think the most extremely infuriating thing about the grooming gangs inquiry is that not only is it going to be a cover up, but that everybody has always known it is going to be a cover up, and even when people have quite frankly said, very publicly "this is absolutely not going to be a cover up", it is still going to be a cover up.

Labour will be getting the boot at the next election, and rightly so.

Oreo Wed 22-Oct-25 13:33:06

I’m not claiming anything, yes it’s just speculation but not impossible as we can agree on.

fancythat Wed 22-Oct-25 13:35:35

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Badenoch is calling for Jess Phillips to be sacked but Starmer is standing by her.

He stands by everyone.
I would say literally.

Until it blows up.

petra Wed 22-Oct-25 13:39:02

Lathyrus3

We can make them accountable for their abuse and not make excuses or avoid pursuing them because of who they are or whatever powerful contacts they may be able to access.

This is too serious to be turned into a political football. Shame on all those who have tried to turn it into one. What is their motivation?

Every decent person should be united in righting this wrong, both for past victims and for the future.

They’ve been kicking that football down the road for decades and nobody’s bothered to pick it up.
The same thing will happen this time.
Throw the hoi polloi some crumbs. They’ll soon forget.
Right now they are scrambling around trying to find a dead cat.

A couple of people have asked how did it get to this.
Many years ago it was rumoured that it was because of the Asian vote. All these towns mentioned were huge Labour voting constituencies.

fancythat Wed 22-Oct-25 13:39:05

Is someone having a fucking laugh 🤬

I have thought for ages now, that there are groups of people who are.

I dont know who they are.

I dont know if there are large groups of people, either in the Uk, or elsewhere, or both, who are doing just that.

petra Wed 22-Oct-25 13:40:37

growstuff

petra

growstuff

petra

If you have the time listen to the wonderful brave Times Reporter who got the story out nationally.
Andrew Norton.
And that started with a phone call from another wonderful brave woman: Anne Cryer.
I don’t use the word brave lightly.
If people like Maggie Oliver have to have protection and Nazir Hafzel have had their and their families lives threatened you are a brave man and woman to take on this evil.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0026ncy

Unfortunately, I don't subscribe the Times. Thanks for the link - I'll listen to it.

growstuff
It’s not a link to The Times, it’s a link to BBC sounds. It says that in the link.

I realised that. I didn't think it was a ink to the Times. They were two separate statements.

Apologies.
Reading too much and not giving my full attention.

Kate1949 Wed 22-Oct-25 13:56:52

It seems that being or appearing racist is the worst thing anyone can be these days. Yes it's awful but fear of being accused of it really has gone too far.

growstuff Wed 22-Oct-25 13:59:27

petra We're evens now wink. At least we asked for clarification rather than barging in after misunderstanding, which is so easy online.

growstuff Wed 22-Oct-25 14:03:55

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I think the most extremely infuriating thing about the grooming gangs inquiry is that not only is it going to be a cover up, but that everybody has always known it is going to be a cover up, and even when people have quite frankly said, very publicly "this is absolutely not going to be a cover up", it is still going to be a cover up.

Labour will be getting the boot at the next election, and rightly so.

So if you know everything, why don't you come up with something proactive and positive rather than clucking around like Henny Penny?

Boz Wed 22-Oct-25 14:31:20

Oreo

Rosie51

Excellent post TerriBull

Jess Phillips gives the impression of being more concerned with hanging on to her position than with addressing the climate that allowed what was done to these survivors.

Agree,
Jess Phillips is an MP in a Birmingham ward and am wondering if she’s been leant on there by councillors and business leaders and others who resent any focus on Pakistani heritage men being under scrutiny?
If she was an MP in Hampshire or Surrey would things be different?

These are my thoughts exactly. Labour is protecting its Asian vote.

growstuff Wed 22-Oct-25 14:32:56

Boz

Oreo

Rosie51

Excellent post TerriBull

Jess Phillips gives the impression of being more concerned with hanging on to her position than with addressing the climate that allowed what was done to these survivors.

Agree,
Jess Phillips is an MP in a Birmingham ward and am wondering if she’s been leant on there by councillors and business leaders and others who resent any focus on Pakistani heritage men being under scrutiny?
If she was an MP in Hampshire or Surrey would things be different?

These are my thoughts exactly. Labour is protecting its Asian vote.

How? What exactly is it doing? Rather than coming out with these accusations, some details would be good. I assume you have some proof.

growstuff Wed 22-Oct-25 14:36:13

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I think this is going to blow up in Starmer’s face to be honest.

What you mean is that you hope it does.

petra Wed 22-Oct-25 15:14:08

growstuff

petra We're evens now wink. At least we asked for clarification rather than barging in after misunderstanding, which is so easy online.

It’s not rocket science, is it. 🤷‍♀️

Nurseundercover Wed 22-Oct-25 15:30:43

Maggie Oliver should be commissioned to head the whole investigation, she is knowledgeable, thorough and has integrity. A fantastic lady, where is her knighthood?

petra Wed 22-Oct-25 15:43:31

Nurseundercover

Maggie Oliver should be commissioned to head the whole investigation, she is knowledgeable, thorough and has integrity. A fantastic lady, where is her knighthood?

Maggie Oliver wouldn’t be seen as independent.
Plus the fact that she’s extremely busy with her charity.

growstuff Wed 22-Oct-25 15:51:05

petra

Nurseundercover

Maggie Oliver should be commissioned to head the whole investigation, she is knowledgeable, thorough and has integrity. A fantastic lady, where is her knighthood?

Maggie Oliver wouldn’t be seen as independent.
Plus the fact that she’s extremely busy with her charity.

Yes, it's a shame. Unfortunately, it's nor going to be as easy as some people seem to think to find somebody suitable.