Survivors Demand Safeguarding Minister’s Resignation
Sir Keir Starmer has thrown his weight behind Jess Phillips, even as five grooming gang survivors publicly accuse her of “betrayal.” The row erupted after Phillips dismissed survivors’ concerns about expanding the scope of the grooming gangs inquiry as “untrue” and “misinformation.”
These women, who endured horrific abuse, claim Phillips’ letter outright contradicted their lived experiences during consultation sessions, sparking fury and deep distrust.
Inquiry in Chaos: Panel Members Quit, Chairs Withdraw
- Four survivors – Fiona Goddard, Ellie Reynolds, Elizabeth, and Jessica – have quit the inquiry’s victims panel, accusing the process of sidelining and manipulating them.
- Both shortlisted chair candidates, former social worker Annie Hudson and ex-police officer Jim Gamble, have withdrawn amidst media pressure and survivor objections.
- With no leader and a fractured panel, the inquiry appears stalled and rudderless.
Phillips’ Denials Slammed as “Blatant Lies”
Fiona Goddard, one survivor who quit, branded Phillips’ claims “blatant lies” and said she would only consider returning if Phillips resigned. The row centres on Phillips publicly rejecting reports that the inquiry’s scope might cover all child sexual exploitation, not just grooming gangs – claims survivors say were made repeatedly during consultations.
“She dismissed our concerns as misinformation. That’s a betrayal of everything we went through,” said Goddard.
Starmer’s Backing Sparks Fury and Accusations of Cover-Up
Despite the scandal and growing survivor outrage, Downing Street insists Starmer has “full confidence” in Phillips. A spokesman said she has “spent her career fighting for victims” and remains “determined to get them justice.”
However, critics argue that Starmer’s stance prioritises political loyalty over survivors’ voices. With the inquiry delayed for months and credibility in tatters, many demand a fresh start led by a senior judge rather than government appointees who failed victims.
The Fallout and What’s Next
- The government has promised a six-week review into the inquiry’s failures.
- Dame Louise Casey has been announced to “support” the inquiry, though her role is unclear without a chair in place.
- Opposition Conservatives continue calling for judicial leadership, highlighting the collapse of the existing panel and chair candidates.
- Survivors vow not to return without meaningful changes, with some demanding Phillips’ resignation before engaging again.
The scandal exposes a stark choice: whose voices matter more – those of survivors who lived the nightmare or the Safeguarding Minister who dismissed their claims? Starmer’s answer has left survivors feeling betrayed and unheard.
