Background of the National Grooming Gangs Inquiry
In June 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a full-scale public inquiry into child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs across the UK. The government pledged that survivors would sit at the heart of the process, ensuring their voices shaped every step. Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips was appointed to oversee the inquiry and work closely with survivors, professionals and law enforcement to uncover failures and recommend reforms.
Survivors’ Panel Resignations and Their Reasons
Last week, four members of the survivors’ advisory panel resigned en masse. They cited a lack of transparency in how the inquiry was being managed and concerns that its scope might broaden beyond grooming gangs. In a strongly worded letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the former panel members accused the government of “betrayal” after they felt their input was dismissed and their safety fears downplayed.
- They expressed frustration that proposed chairs for the inquiry withdrew without clear explanation.
- They warned that survivors and victims would lose trust if the inquiry strayed from its original mandate.
- They described steps taken so far as rushed, with minimal survivor consultation.
Five Conditions for Survivors’ Return
In their letter, the resigning survivors set out five conditions for rejoining the panel:
- Appointment of a senior judge as inquiry chair, selected through transparent consultation.
- Guarantee that the inquiry’s focus remains exclusively on grooming gangs, not general child sexual abuse.
- Regular, open updates on interim findings and progress reports to avoid surprise scope changes.
- Assurance of independent survivor support services, including mental health care and legal advice.
- Clear publication of all inquiry minutes, correspondence and appointment processes for key roles.
Prime Minister’s Firm Statement of Confidence
On Thursday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson reaffirmed that Starmer has “full confidence” in Jess Phillips. He emphasised her track record: “She has spent her career fighting for victims and survivors and trying to protect them from abuse.” The spokesperson stated the government would not “water down” the inquiry’s scope or soften its intended impact, adding: “Its scope will not change, nor will its intent. It will be robust, rigorous and survivor-focused.”
Minister Phillips’ Public Defense
Jess Phillips responded on Tuesday with a public letter rejecting claims the inquiry was expanding beyond grooming gangs. She wrote: “Any suggestion that we plan to broaden this inquiry’s remit is simply untrue.” Phillips insisted she remained committed to transparency and welcomed further survivor input: “If panel members have concerns, we encourage them to come forward so we can address them directly.”
Challenges in Appointing a Chair
Officials have acknowledged it may take months to secure a permanent chairperson. Two candidates were initially shortlisted but both withdrew, citing personal reasons and workload concerns. A senior government source told reporters that finding a judge with the right combination of legal expertise and victim empathy is proving difficult. Meanwhile, an interim leadership structure remains in place, with senior civil servants coordinating submissions and hearings.
Maintaining Survivor Trust and Inquiry Credibility
Survivor trust is the inquiry’s most valuable asset. Survivors have endured systemic failings by social services, police forces and local councils over decades. Rebuilding this trust requires open channels of communication, transparent decision-making and visible progress. Failure to meet survivors’ five conditions could undermine public confidence and diminish the inquiry’s final recommendations.
Support from Remaining Panel Members
Not all survivors have resigned. Samantha Walker-Roberts, who remains on the panel, argues for a slightly broader remit. She believes that examining structural issues across child sexual abuse more generally will prevent other predators from slipping through the cracks. She emphasises that “our brave survivors need a comprehensive approach to ensure future generations are safer.”
Next Steps for the Inquiry
In the coming weeks, the Department for Education and Home Office will:
- Launch an open call for judicial candidates to chair the inquiry, with clear selection criteria.
- Hold survivor roundtables to refine the inquiry’s working methods and reporting cadence.
- Publish an updated roadmap, outlining expected timelines for hearings, interim reports and final recommendations.
Successful delivery hinges on keeping survivors engaged, government processes transparent and appointed leaders trustworthy. The Prime Minister’s public backing of Jess Phillips underscores the political importance placed on this inquiry, but true success will depend on healing survivor trauma and driving lasting systemic reform.