Overview

• Lucy Powell apologized in the House of Commons for describing discussions on grooming gangs as a 'dog whistle' during a BBC Radio 4 appearance.
• Her comments, made in response to a Channel 4 documentary on grooming gang survivors, drew widespread criticism and calls for her resignation.
• Powell assured victims and survivors that their experiences would be addressed, pledging to implement all prior inquiry recommendations, including mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse.
• Baroness Louise Casey's national audit on grooming gangs, including ethnicity-related issues, is nearing completion, with findings expected soon.
• Police forces across England and Wales have been directed to review and reopen historic grooming gang cases where appropriate.