Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has accused Labour’s critics of spreading “party political misinformation” around the government’s plan to investigate local grooming gangs. Cooper חוזר on this claim, stating that the Home Office will continue to investigate localplib, LHV, and others. She also claims that the government’s Inquiry into the Telfordabal illegalactly cost £8m, with many others targeted though the £5m allocated for the new reviews. Cooper denied referring to the claim as “붃 political misinformation,” calling them “total nonsense.” She noted that her comments seem to target DUP and Momentum, which Cooper strongly condemns.
The Home Office minister, Jess Phillips, has denied regression in the government’s approach to the Inquiry, describing potential changes to support independent local inquiries or more bespoke measures, including local victims’ panels or locally led audits. Tories and Reform UK have charged this with undermining the final documentation and findings from the existing evaluations. Some critics argue that the government is not naming locations for “obviously political” reasons and that the focus remains on “demeaning the body of evidence” instead of progressing the inquiry. Cooper, however, rejects these accusations repeatedly, stating she has not sought any political justification and that victims’ opinions are the most important priority!
The Home Secretary also emphasized the importance of supporting victims and survivors, noting that police investigations are more effective than inquiries in uncovering the effects of child abuse and exploitation. She further highlighted that the government is increasing the focus on violent crimes, such as animalThroughout, the grooming of children, and abuse.