Kemi Badenoch calls for national inquiry into ‘rape gangs’

In 2022, an independent inquiry by Greater Manchester Combined Authority found that vulnerable children were left exposed to sexual exploitation in Oldham because of “serious failings” by the police and council.

But the report drew criticism for its limited scope, focusing on cases between 2011 and 2014.

In July, Oldham Council, which is led by a Labour minority administration, asked the Home Office to lead a fuller inquiry into historical abuse in the area.

Phillips rejected the request, pointing to council-run inquiries in Rotherham and Telford, which she argued had greater legitimacy because they were locally commissioned and delivered.

In a letter to the council, the safeguarding minister said she recognised the “strength of feeling” but believed it was “for Oldham Council alone to decide to commission an inquiry into child sexual exploitation locally, rather than for the Government to intervene”.

Conservative Oldham councillor Lewis Quigg said the decision was “just not good enough”.

An Oldham Council spokesman said: “Survivors sit at the heart of our work to end child sexual exploitation.

“Whatever happens in terms of future inquiries, we have promised them that their wishes will be paramount, and we will not renege on that pledge.”

On X, Musk accused Sir Keir of failing to properly prosecute “rape gangs” while he was director of public prosecutions.

But the tech billionaire was himself accused of “rewriting history” by Nazir Afzal, who Sir Keir appointed as special prosecutor for child abuse and sexual exploitation, and oversaw numerous convictions against other grooming gangs.

Mr Azfal said: “Under Starmer’s leadership we finally tackled these abuses, which had previously been handled poorly.”

Musk – who has been picked by US President-elect Donald Trump to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency – also criticised Phillips, stating she “deserves to be in prison” for her response to Oldham Council.