UK's child sex abuse scandal: PM Keir Starmer orders national inquiry into 'grooming gangs' after report, Musk criticism
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday announced a national inquiry into the UK's decades-long child sex abuse scandal involving grooming gangs, reversing his earlier stance in light of a new report and mounting public pressure, including from US tech billionaire Elon Musk.
The decision follows the findings of an independent audit by Louise Casey, who had initially believed a national-level probe was unnecessary but changed her view after reviewing the scale and nature of the abuse. 'She has come to the view that there should be a national inquiry on the basis of what she has seen. I have read every single word of her report and I am going to accept her recommendation,' Starmer told reporters en route to the G7 summit in Canada.
The scandal centres on gangs of mostly Pakistani men who targeted and abused thousands of vulnerable white girls, many from disadvantaged backgrounds or in state care. The abuse occurred in towns such as Rotherham, Rochdale, Oxford, and Bristol over nearly four decades. Previous investigations found that police and local authorities often failed to act, allegedly due to fears of being labelled racist.
The matter gained international traction earlier this year after Musk, owner of the X platform, accused the UK government of failing to adequately address the issue.
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On Saturday, Musk responded to news of the inquiry saying he was 'glad to hear this is happening.'
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had tasked Casey with a 'rapid audit' in January. Sky News reported Saturday that Casey's findings will indicate that vulnerable white British girls were 'institutionally ignored' by authorities.
Criticism of the delay came from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused Starmer of dragging his feet. 'I've been repeatedly calling for a full national inquiry since January,' she said. 'Many survivors of the grooming gangs will be relieved that this is finally happening. But they need a resolution soon, not in 10 years' time.'
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