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Tories Publish Survivor-Backed Draft for Grooming Gangs Inquiry, Pressing Labour to Act

The plan prioritises a judge-led statutory inquiry that explicitly examines perpetrators’ ethnicity and religion.

Overview

  • Kemi Badenoch and Chris Philp unveiled Conservative draft terms of reference developed with some survivors, centring on extra-familial abuse, a two-year limit, and powers to compel evidence and summon witnesses.
  • The government’s national inquiry announced in June remains unlaunched with no chair after October withdrawals, as Baroness Louise Casey helps with setup and ministers reiterate a commitment to a full statutory probe.
  • Survivor Fiona Goddard, who resigned from the government’s liaison panel, publicly backed the Tory draft, citing lost confidence in the current process and concerns over attempts to widen the remit.
  • Conservatives said the inquiry should forward evidence indicating criminality to police and prosecutors, while Philp urged stripping British citizenship from dual nationals involved and deporting them.
  • Badenoch called for UK-wide scope with inclusion of Scotland, as Labour accused the Tories of past inaction and the Prime Minister’s office said it hopes to update soon on appointing a chair and finalising terms.