A nominee for the investigation into grooming gangs, who withdrew from consideration today, accused Kemi Badenoch of politicizing the inquiry, exploiting victims for political gain, and leveraging their voices to attack government officials.
This development follows Keir Starmer’s assurance that the inquiry would not be compromised despite four survivors withdrawing from participation, causing turmoil for the Government due to survivors expressing doubt in the process.
Subsequently, a second potential chair for the inquiry, former police officer Jim Gamble, also stepped down, criticizing politicians for prioritizing personal or political agendas over the investigation.
During PMQs, Kemi Badenoch highlighted a survivor’s question to the PM, questioning the purpose of speaking out if they are labeled as liars. This survivor, Fiona Goddard, resigned from the inquiry’s victims and survivors liaison panel alongside another survivor, Ellie-Ann Reynolds.
In an interview with Times Radio, Mr. Gamble expressed disappointment in how Badenoch and others engaged in the process, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue with victims and survivors to understand their diverse needs.
He proposed that the probe’s chair should be chosen through public interviews before a Parliamentary committee to ensure transparency and urged politicians from all parties to collaborate on the way forward without using victims for political gains.
Mr. Gamble emphasized the urgency in addressing the issue promptly to prevent further harm to vulnerable individuals, stressing the importance of collective action to prevent future suffering among victims and survivors.
