Nottinghamshire MP backs calls for national inquiry to 'burn bright light' on grooming gangs

Parliamentary portrait for Jo White, the Labour MP for Bassetlaw, dressed in black blazer and red dress
-Credit:UK Parliament


A Nottinghamshire Labour MP has backed calls for a national inquiry into child sexual abuse saying that it would "burn a bright light" into the scandal of grooming gangs. Calls have been growing for another national inquiry into child sex abuse after the Home Office refused a request for a public inquiry into the rape of children in Oldham, primarily by men of Pakistani origin.

That refusal gave way to broader calls for another national inquiry after the issue was seized on by Elon Musk, who was criticised by Keir Starmer for spreading "lies and misinformation" over the issue. Yet pressure has continued to grow after Sarah Champion, the Labour MP for Rotherham, called for a nationally resourced inquiry model to be rolled out across the country.

The MP said locally led inquiries do not have enough power, including the power to compel witnesses, and that the Home Office should instead roll out inquiries for areas that "trigger the threshold for greater scrutiny". This move has now been backed by Jo White, elected as the new Labour MP for Bassetlaw at the 2024 general election.

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John Mann, Jo White's husband and Bassetlaw's MP from 2001 until 2019, was the only Nottinghamshire MP who gave evidence to the previous inquiry into child sexual abuse led by Professor Alexis Jay, which reported in 2022. That inquiry included an investigation into residential and foster care managed by Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, both of which were found to have failed in their duty to protect children from sexual abuse from "predatory" staff and carers.

Yet in a statement on the need for further investigation, Jo White said: "The previous Bassetlaw MP, John Mann, alongside Sarah Champion, were the two MPs who stepped up and gave evidence to the Professor Jay Inquiry. They spoke up for their constituents and I am duty bound to continue to be the voice of victims and survivors in Bassetlaw.

"The scourge of child abuse has to be exposed and those involved have to be brought to account wherever they are hiding. Where grooming gangs have been operating an inquiry will burn a bright light into the scandal. This will need government intervention to give them the legal status they need."

Downing Street has so far rejected calls for a new national inquiry, arguing that all recommendations from Professor Jay's inquiry need implementing and that a new inquiry could delay that work. Jo White launched a campaign in November 2024 on two recommendations from that inquiry in particular to be implemented.

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Recommendations nine and 10 of Professor Jay's report called for greater use of the Disclosure and Barring Service, commonly known as DBS checks. Jo White says Parliament should examine whether all new MPs should be forced to undergo these in-depth background checks due to their access to young and vulnerable people.

The Bassetlaw MP added: "Where there is evidence of grooming gang activity, no ifs no buts, action must be taken. In local areas, this may have to be an inquiry, backed by the government, with local authorities and the police being called to account and required to implement immediate action. We have to make our cities, towns and communities safe for our children and young women.

"I launched my own campaign in November in Parliament on recommendations number 9 and 10 about police checks and I am at war with the powers that be on this issue. I will not be backing down."