Professor Alexis Jay, chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation (IICSA), has criticised the political 'weaponisation' of child sexual abuse following recent attacks by Elon Musk and UK politicians on ministers over grooming gangs. Speaking to the Home Affairs Committee on Tuesday, she expressed concern over the rhetoric surrounding historic abuse cases, many involving British Asian men.
Jay's comments come after weeks of criticism from X owner Elon Musk, who accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other ministers of ignoring abuse. Reform leader Nigel Farage and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also took up the attacks. Jay declined to name individuals, saying she would not give them 'oxygen of publicity'.
The inquiry chairwoman also lambasted the previous Conservative government for its 'awful' response to IICSA's 2022 report, which made 20 recommendations. She described the written response as 'inconsequential, insubstantial, committed to nothing', causing 'huge disappointment and anger' among victims and survivors.
Jay noted that while initial reactions from then-Home Secretary Grant Shapps were encouraging, the subsequent response under Suella Braverman was a low point. She said there was a 'long silence' from the Home Office after she criticised the government in a 2023 letter to The Times, until James Cleverly became Home Secretary.
Despite the controversy, Jay welcomed the government's recent plan to implement the recommendations, saying it was 'such a relief' and that action was needed urgently. IICSA estimated that around 1,400 children were sexually exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.
