Latest news with #justiceForVictims
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rachel Reeves Clashes With Trevor Phillips Over Labour's Grooming Gangs U-Turn
Rachel Reeves clashed with Trevor Phillips after the government U-turned on its opposition to a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal. Keir Starmer has previously accused opposition politicians calling for one of jumping on a 'bandwagon of the far-right'. But he announced on Saturday that he supports the recommendations of an independent report into child sexual exploitation by Baroness Louise Casey, which is being published next week. It is expected to call for a judge-led inquiry into the grooming and sexual abuse of young girls across the country, mainly by groups of men of Pakistani origin. On Sky News this morning, Phillips asked Reeves whether those who had been dismissed for raising the issue were due an apology from the government. As the chancellor tried to say the 'most important thing' was getting justice for the victims of the grooming gangs, Phillips told her: 'No, what I've asked you is the most important thing.' Reeves then hit back: 'No no no. Trevor, what is the most important thing here? It is the victims and it's not people's hurt feelings about how they've been spoken about. 'The most important thing here is the victims of these evil crimes.' Undeterred, Phillips said: 'The reason this matters is because those people who raised these matters on behalf of victims, who cannot often speak for themselves, were accused by government ministers of 'total nonsense, misinformation and racism'. Surely that's important as well?' Reeves replied: 'The most important thing is the victims themselves, and we have been busy as a government implementing the 200 or so recommendations of the previous inquiry.' 'The most important thing is not people's hurt feelings about how they've been spoken about'@TrevorPTweets presses Chancellor @RachelReevesMP on whether the government was wrong to dismiss calls for a grooming gang inquiry as misinformation.#TrevorPhillips📺 Sky 501 — Sky News (@SkyNews) June 15, 2025 Keir Starmer Performs Major U-Turn As He Backs National Inquiry Into Groomings Gangs Here's Why Lucy Powell's Comments On Grooming Gangs Really Matter Yvette Cooper Slams 'Party Political Misinformation' Around Grooming Gang Probes
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Downing Street risks fresh row with claims rape gang tragedy has been ‘weaponized' – but won't say by who
DOWNING Street risked a major row today after claiming the grooming gangs scandal has been "weaponised" for political gain. A spokesperson for Sir Keir Starmer declared it was "obviously disappointing" to witness "political point scoring" on such a grave issue. However, No. 10 refused to identify who they believed was guilty of exploiting the scandal. It comes after Cabinet Minister Lucy Powell provoked outrage by dismissing discussions surrounding grooming gangs as 'dog whistle' politics. Her remarks, which likened the discourse to "blowing a little trumpet," sparked calls for her resignation. Despite the backlash, Downing Street today reaffirmed Sir Keir's full confidence in Ms Powell. When pressed on whether the PM shared Ms Powell's view that the scandal was being "weaponised," his spokesperson said: "It's obviously disappointing for people to engage in this kind of behaviour. "But the Prime Minister remains focused on taking the necessary action to deliver justice for victims, rather than becoming embroiled in political point scoring." When further questioned on who exactly was guilty of such tactics, the spokesperson added: "Any attempt at political point scoring on an issue as serious as this is disappointing. "The government's priority is ensuring justice for victims." Dr Lawrence Newport, a prominent campaigner for a national inquiry into grooming gangs, lambasted the government's stance, accusing it of failing victims. He said: "The government's attitude that this is political point scoring is just ignoring that people are severely disappointed that the government has done NOTHING to help victims. "There has been a cover-up. "This does nothing more than help those that covered it up for decades." Earlier today, Health Secretary Wes Streeting also weighed in, branding Ms Powell's remarks "indefensible."
