Statement – National Commission

I welcome the news that the Prime Minister has ordered a national commission, with statutory inquiry powers, into grooming gangs. This follows Baroness Casey’s rapid review along with 11 other recommendations, all of which have been immediately accepted by the UK Government. This means changes to the law being introduced at pace, including the law on rape being tightened so adults cannot use consent as a defence against raping a child under 16, licensing laws for taxis being strengthened and changes to law to stop sexual offenders claiming asylum.

Baroness Casey was tasked by the UK Government into reviewing the case for further action and has now recommended a national commission with the power to compel testimony and access to institutional records.

Since January, the National Crime Agency has re-opened more than 800 cases to bring justice to victims whose cases were not progressed through the justice system and prosecution of perpetrators continues, with the most recent conviction happening last week. This vital work will continue and scale up over the coming months, with a major nationwide operation being launched by the NCA to track down and prosecute perpetrators.

Importantly, the UK Government continues to implement the recommendations of the Jay Report, which the previous Conservative Government did not, despite having years to do so and holding over 20 meetings, roundtables and events on this important issue.

I would firmly rebut the accusation that I previously voted to deny an inquiry in January. Unfortunately, a lot of misinformation has been spread, including by journalists who should and do know better about Parliamentary procedures.

In January, I voted alongside other Labour MPs against a Conservative amendment which would have killed off a new law designed to safeguard children. The bill, the Children and Wellbeing Bill, included an important recommendation from the Jay report, to give children outside of school a named identifier. Had the Conservatives been serious and really cared about victims of abuse, they would not have played Parliamentary games and tried to block recommendations that they had years to implement.

Most importantly, we need to keep focus on supporting victims and preventing others from becoming victims. Child sexual abuse is an abhorrent crime and needs tackling along with violence against women and girls and I welcome the work that has happened already, along with the new recommendations from Baroness Casey and the immediate acceptance by the UK Government.

Politicians using survivors as a political football needs to stop, now. Child sexual exploitation is far too serious an issue for political opportunists to use.