Kemi Badenoch’s call for a national inquiry into child rape gangs was blocked this evening by Labour MPs. Sir Keir Starmer used his majority to easily defeat a Conservative amendment calling for a fresh investigation into the grooming scandal.
A total of 364 MPs voted against the amendment, significantly outweighing the 111 who supported it – a majority of 253. Conservative shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “It is disgusting that Keir Starmer has used his supermajority in Parliament to block a national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal.
“Labour MPs have put their Party ahead of getting to the truth and turned a blind eye to justice for the victims. Labour MPs will have to explain to the British people why they are against learning the truth behind the torture and rape of countless vulnerable girls. “We will not let them forget this act of cowardice.”
The Prime Minister insisted it was time for “action” rather than “the delay of a further inquiry” and has promised a series of measures to protect children. His flagship Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill would also have collapsed if Ms Badenoch’s amendment had been allowed to pass.
Nigel Farage supported the Conservative bid but criticised Ms Badenoch’s outrage as “insincere,” pointing out that she had not acted on the issue while serving as a minister. The Prime Minister has dismissed growing demands for a new inquiry, stating that a previous investigation has already revealed the horrors that unfolded in several northern towns.