UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Faces Heat in Parliament over Grooming Gangs Inquiry

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer came under intense scrutiny on Wednesday during a fiery session of Prime Minister’s Questions, as the ongoing inquiry into grooming gangs faced fresh controversy following the resignation of four women from its victims and survivors panel.

Starmer reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the official inquiry, emphasizing that justice for victims and transparency in the process remain top priorities. “We owe it to the survivors to ensure this inquiry gets to the truth and delivers accountability,” he said in response to parliamentary questioning.

However, Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of involvement in a “cover-up” related to the inquiry’s handling, though she did not provide details to substantiate the claim. The allegation sparked heated exchanges across the House of Commons and deepened partisan divisions over how the government has managed the sensitive investigation.

The resignations from the inquiry’s victims panel have raised questions about trust and representation within the process. Advocacy groups have urged the government to take the concerns of survivors seriously and to ensure that the inquiry remains independent and victim-centered.

The grooming gangs inquiry, established to examine systemic failures in responding to decades of child sexual exploitation cases across several UK towns, has faced criticism over delays and transparency issues since its inception.