UK Prime Minister Starmer Orders Statutory Grooming Gangs Inquiry

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will launch a full statutory inquiry into child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs, following months of resistance and pressure. This decision comes after Baroness Louise Casey conducted an independent audit, initially skeptical but ultimately recommending a national inquiry based on her findings. Starmer emphasized that he has read every word of Casey's report and respects her judgment, deciding to implement her recommendations under the Inquiries Act, granting the inquiry legal powers to compel witnesses and produce documents. The inquiry aims to address longstanding issues of gang-based exploitation, including institutional failings highlighted in previous reports, and will proceed despite concerns about potential delays in justice. Political figures such as Nigel Farage have stressed the importance of the inquiry being thorough and not a 'whitewash.' Starmer also noted the inquiry's necessity alongside the implementation of hundreds of other recommendations from past investigations into child exploitation scandals.