Starmer backs Phillips as grooming gangs victims revolt

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips is facing calls to resign (PA) Jonathan Brady

Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) has backed safeguarding minister Jess Phillips despite growing calls for her resignation from grooming gangs inquiry victims. The Prime Minister said he "of course" has faith in Phillips when asked during a Thursday visit, telling BBC South East that she has been "working on issues involving violence against women and girls for many, many years".

Four women who resigned from the inquiry's victims liaison panel have written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood demanding Phillips' resignation. They stated they would be prepared to return to the panel if she steps down as safeguarding minister, according to their letter.

Victims cite broken trust

The four survivors - Ellie-Ann Reynolds, Fiona Goddard, Elizabeth Harper and a woman signed only as "Jessica" - accused Phillips of labelling some of their claims "untrue" despite providing evidence to the contrary. They wrote that "being publicly contradicted and dismissed by a government minister when you are a survivor telling the truth takes you right back to that feeling of not being believed all over again".

Reynolds said the final turning point was "the push to change the remit, to widen it in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse". The survivors described the situation as "a betrayal that has destroyed what little trust remained".

Growing opposition spreads

A fifth victim reportedly quit the panel and backed calls for a judge-led inquiry, according to The Telegraph. Gaia Cooper wrote to the charity running victims' liaison, hoping both political sides would stop using the inquiry as "a political battering ram" and accused both of being "complicit in cover-ups and failures".

Another survivor using the pseudonym "Carly" has joined calls for Phillips to resign whilst wanting to remain part of the inquiry, the BBC reported. The survivors have set five conditions for their return, including keeping the inquiry's scope "laser-focused" on grooming gangs and appointing a former or sitting judge as chair.

Inquiry leadership crisis

Two candidates have withdrawn from running to chair the inquiry, leaving no apparent candidates remaining. Former police officer Jim Gamble pulled out citing "lack of confidence" from some survivors due to his police background, whilst also criticising politicians for "playing games" with the inquiry.

Annie Hudson, a former director of children's services for Lambeth, also withdrew from consideration. Gamble told BBC Breakfast the chair should be chosen based on "integrity" and "character" rather than institutional background, casting doubt on whether a judge could lead the inquiry.

Government maintains support

Ministers have rallied around Phillips, with Mahmood's spokesperson saying she has the Home Secretary's "full support". Health Secretary Wes Streeting praised Phillips' work supporting victims and told Radio 4's Woman's Hour there was "no one in Parliament who has done more to tackle violence against women and girls than Jess".

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy acknowledged "setbacks" this week but said the government would "move forward". He noted that dealing with families experiencing pain was "very tough" but insisted the inquiry would examine perpetrators' ethnicity and religion, which is "absolutely on the table".

Inquiry scope defended

Starmer told MPs on Wednesday the inquiry "is not and will never be watered down" and its scope "will not change". He announced Baroness Louise Casey would be drafted in to support the inquiry's work, saying she and Phillips were "the right people to take this forward".

The Prime Minister vowed that "injustice will have no place to hide" and promised the inquiry would "examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders". Casey's audit, published in June, found "many examples" of organisations avoiding discussion of "ethnicity or cultural factors" in such offences "for fear of appearing racist".

Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).