A third abuse victim has stepped down from the government’s grooming gang inquiry, intensifying concerns about the investigation’s credibility.
The survivor, identified only as “Elizabeth,” followed Fiona Goddard and Ellie Reynolds in resigning from the inquiry’s victims and survivors liaison panel. Both Goddard and Reynolds announced their departures on Monday.
In her resignation statement, Elizabeth characterized the proceedings as resembling “a cover-up” and criticized what she described as “a toxic environment for survivors.”
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has pushed back against allegations of a cover-up, maintaining that her government remains “committed to exposing the failures” surrounding “these appalling crimes.”
Concerns Over Process and Transparency
Elizabeth, a Rotherham resident, expressed dissatisfaction with what she perceived as a “scripted and predetermined” process lacking “honest, open dialogue with survivors.”
“This sense of control and stage-management has left many of us questioning whether our voices truly matter, or whether we are being used to legitimise decisions that have already been made,” she stated.
Survivors worry that these early resignations will undermine the inquiry’s ability to establish trust among other affected individuals. Additional frustration centers on delays in selecting a chairperson, which some interpret as a deliberate stalling strategy driven by concerns about potential revelations.
The government faces mounting pressure to develop an approach that addresses the concerns of survivors central to this scandal.
Leadership Vacuum
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the national inquiry into grooming gangs across England and Wales in June, establishing a survivor panel to provide oversight. However, no chairperson has been selected.
The BBC has learned that Annie Hudson, a former senior social worker considered for the chairperson role, has withdrawn following recent media attention regarding her potential appointment.
Jim Gamble, a former deputy chief constable, represents another name under consideration. He met with survivors recently, with both parties reportedly engaging in constructive dialogue.
Dispute Over Inquiry Scope and Leadership Qualifications
Goddard and Reynolds raised objections about the backgrounds of shortlisted candidates, arguing against appointing anyone from policing or social work backgrounds.
Goddard, who experienced gang abuse while in a Bradford children’s home, argued these institutions “contributed most to the cover-up of the national mass rape and trafficking of children.”
Reynolds contended that having “establishment insiders representing the very systems that failed us” as potential chairs creates a conflict of interest.
The three women have alleged that officials are attempting to dilute the inquiry by expanding its focus beyond grooming gangs to encompass broader child sexual abuse and exploitation issues.
Elizabeth reported observing “selective narratives being promoted – ones that appear to serve particular agendas, especially around issues of race and the narrative of widening the scope.” She advocated for a chairperson with legal training and impartiality.
Elizabeth also described deteriorating conditions on the panel, noting the atmosphere “became quite toxic” when “everyone came under suspicion” for leaking information to the media.
Reynolds, who was victimized by a gang of Pakistani brothers in Barrow, cited the decision to broaden the inquiry “in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse” as her “final turning point.”
Government Response
Phillips has denied accusations that the government seeks to dilute the inquiry’s focus, insisting its scope will remain “laser-focused.”
In a Tuesday statement, Goddard responded sharply to Phillips’s comments, calling her denials a “blatant lie.”
Goddard claimed “many” survivors’ panel members experienced different forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation rather than grooming gang abuse specifically, and that only these individuals support broadening the inquiry.
A Home Office spokesperson affirmed the inquiry “will remain laser-focused on grooming gangs,” consistent with Baroness Casey’s recommendation for establishing a national inquiry.
“In order to meaningfully consult with victims and survivors about the terms of reference, we need to ask them questions and listen to their responses,” the spokesperson explained. “That is not expanding the scope – it is ensuring their voices shape the inquiry.”
Parliamentary Debate
Addressing the resignations in the House of Commons, Phillips expressed regret over the departures but noted, “My door is always open to them.”
She emphasized that “not all victims are of the same opinion” and pledged continued engagement with all survivors.
Phillips clarified that a grooming gang charity, rather than the government, manages the victims’ inquiry panel from which Reynolds and Goddard resigned.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp characterized the inquiry as “descending into chaos,” suggesting ministers were “forced” into establishing it in June. “Perhaps that is why, months later, the government has said nothing substantive publicly,” he added.
The Conservatives have advocated for appointing a senior judge to chair the inquiry to ensure impartiality and restore confidence in the process.
Phillips rejected this proposal, noting that Baroness Casey, who conducted a previous inquiry on the subject, opposed a traditional judicial-led investigation.
The minister also highlighted the challenge of identifying a chair unconnected to institutions “that didn’t fail these girls over the years, including our courts who took the children away from grooming gang victims, who criminalised some of them.”
“There is no institution in our country that hasn’t failed,” she concluded.
