Government Names Baroness Anne Longfield to Lead Grooming Gangs Inquiry as Draft Terms Released
A three-year programme of statutory local investigations will proceed after a consultation on the draft terms due to conclude by March 2026.
Overview
- Baroness Anne Longfield was appointed chair and will resign the Labour whip, with Zoë Billingham and Eleanor Kelly named as panellists.
- The draft terms allow inquiry teams to examine offenders’ ethnicity and religion and whether community cohesion concerns led authorities to under‑investigate.
- The inquiry is time‑limited to March 2029 and will operate under a national panel model directing local statutory investigations.
- Oldham is confirmed as an early local investigation site, and Lisa Nandy said the chair will meet survivors this week.
- Keighley and Bradford campaigners urged immediate inclusion, the Home Secretary said their representations will be heard, and Bradford Council pledged full cooperation.