Keir Starmer Orders National Inquiry Following Grooming Gangs Review

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a statutory national inquiry into grooming gangs following a significant U-turn amid criticism and rising pressure. The inquiry, building on the earlier Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse led by Professor Alexis Jay, will specifically investigate failures at the local level in protecting young girls from exploitation, especially highlighting institutional neglect driven by fears of accusations of racism. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will provide details of the inquiry and announced that the National Crime Agency (NCA) will lead a nationwide operation targeting perpetrators and revisiting over 800 cold cases. The report by Baroness Louise Casey is expected to expose systemic failures and link the abuse predominantly to men of Pakistani origin, with concerns that the findings might provoke civil unrest unless decisive action is taken. While campaigners seek a broad investigation across many towns, officials indicate the inquiry might focus on a limited number of communities, acting as an umbrella for several local probes to avoid prolonged delays. Some officials emphasize that this inquiry should complement, not replace, the implementation of previous recommendations to ensure justice for victims and prevent future abuse.