The national inquiry into grooming gangs ordered by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been disrupted again after one of the two shortlisted candidates to lead it pulled out. Annie Hudson, former director of children’s services for Lambeth, told survivors on Tuesday she no longer wished to be considered following intense media coverage.
Her withdrawal leaves Jim Gamble, a former head of the Royal Ulster Constabulary special branch, as the only known candidate, though Home Office sources said other candidates were still being interviewed. The development comes after three abuse survivors resigned from the victims and survivors liaison panel, accusing the Home Office of sidelining them and manipulating the agenda.
Fiona Goddard and Ellie Reynolds quit on Monday, and a survivor known only as 'Elizabeth' followed on Tuesday. In her resignation letter, Goddard criticised the choice of a former social worker or police officer to chair the inquiry, saying it would let services 'mark their own homework'. Elizabeth said she believed the process had been 'scripted and predetermined' and felt like a 'cover-up of a cover-up'.
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips denied claims of a cover-up, insisting the government was 'committed to exposing the failures'. She told MPs the appointment of the chair was at a 'critical stage' and that she would continue to engage with all victims. Downing Street also rejected accusations that the inquiry's remit was being widened to downplay racial and religious motivations behind the abuse.
