Two Panel Members Step Down Citing Government Interference
The UK’s national inquiry into grooming gangs has encountered significant turmoil following the resignation of two abuse survivors from its oversight panel. Fiona Goddard and Ellie-Ann Reynolds departed their positions on Monday, raising serious allegations about the Home Office’s handling of the investigation and warning of political meddling before a chair has even been selected.
Accusations of Contempt and Control
In their departure statements, both women expressed frustration with what they described as dismissive treatment by officials. Reynolds, who is based in Barrow, revealed that the Home Office conducted meetings without informing panel members, made unilateral decisions, and refused to share relevant information. When she sought explanations, her concerns were allegedly dismissed outright.
Goddard, who experienced abuse while residing in a Bradford children’s home, leveled multiple criticisms at the inquiry process. She highlighted survivor concerns about potential conflicts of interest among those involved in establishing the investigation.
Ongoing Uncertainty About Inquiry Structure
Four months after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the statutory investigation under public pressure, the fundamental parameters remain unresolved. The Guardian previously reported that stakeholders, including abuse survivors, are still negotiating the inquiry’s terms of reference.
Two potential chairs, former deputy chief constable Jim Gamble and child safeguarding review chair Annie Hudson, are scheduled to meet with the panel this week. However, Goddard expressed alarm that the inquiry might be led by either a retired police officer or social worker, professions she believes were complicit in concealing child exploitation.
Dispute Over Inquiry Scope
A central point of contention involves the geographical breadth of the investigation. Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, along with her deputy Alison Lowe, contacted Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in September requesting that the inquiry examine grooming gang activity throughout their entire region rather than focusing on specific known cases.
Survivors have strongly objected to this expansion, arguing it would dilute the investigation’s effectiveness, extend its duration unnecessarily, and shift attention away from confirmed victims. Sources close to the inquiry emphasized that survivors seek justice through targeted examination of particular cases, allowing investigators to determine who had knowledge of abuse and when.
The West Yorkshire region has seen 61 defendants charged in connection with 14 investigations spanning Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield. Brabin and Lowe maintain they are acting on survivor input and that evidence demonstrates the crime’s regional prevalence.
Fears of Prolonged Investigation
Survivors worry the inquiry could replicate the seven-year duration of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse led by Professor Alexis Jay. In her resignation communication, Goddard warned that expanding the scope risks creating another sprawling investigation where grooming gang victims become marginalized.
She also noted concerns about stakeholders with connections to the Labour government, suggesting these relationships could compromise the inquiry’s independence.
Government and Legal Responses
Richard Scorer, who heads abuse law at Slater and Gordon and represents approximately 30 grooming gang victims, expressed concern about reports of Home Office attempts to control the process. He stressed that an effective inquiry must be free to criticize political decisions at all government levels, warning that early political interference suggests future problems.
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips issued a letter to the home affairs select committee on Monday evening rejecting allegations of a cover-up. She noted that several-month gaps between inquiry announcements and chair appointments are standard, citing the COVID-19 and infected blood inquiries as examples.
Phillips denied reports that judicial candidates have refused the position and rejected claims the government seeks to dilute the inquiry’s focus. She emphasized that the investigation will maintain a targeted approach as recommended by Baroness Casey, with the appointed chair ultimately determining conduct and procedures.
A Home Office representative stated the government would deploy all available resources to prevent future abuse, describing child exploitation by grooming gangs as among the most serious crimes and committing to truth-finding and survivor justice through the statutory inquiry.
