Sir Keir Starmer could be called to give evidence at the national grooming gangs inquiry after being granted formal status in the investigation he ordered while in office.
The former prime minister has been designated a "core participant" in the inquiry's hearings, due to begin in December, meaning he will have enhanced rights to take part in proceedings and receive evidence disclosed to the inquiry.
While core participant status does not automatically require a witness to appear, many individuals and organisations granted the designation are later asked, or compelled, to give evidence.
Scope of the Inquiry
The inquiry is examining historic failures by authorities to tackle child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs in areas including London, Birmingham, Bradford, Keighley, Oldham and parts of Wales.
It comes after a turbulent period surrounding the establishment of the inquiry, which was announced following months of political pressure and intense public debate.
Sir Keir had initially resisted calls for a national inquiry, arguing that recommendations from previous reviews should instead be implemented. However, he later announced a full statutory inquiry amid mounting criticism and a row fuelled by interventions from billionaire Elon Musk on social media.
Leadership and Powers
The investigation is being led by Baroness Anne Longfield, the former Children's Commissioner for England, and has been allocated £65 million over three years.
As a statutory inquiry, it has powers to compel witnesses to attend hearings and require organisations to hand over documents.
The probe is expected to examine how police forces, local authorities and other public bodies responded to evidence of organised child sexual exploitation, and whether opportunities to protect victims were missed.
Political Context
The issue has remained politically contentious, with politicians across the spectrum arguing over how past failures should be investigated and what lessons should be learned.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has previously defended his own record on the issue, insisting he acted swiftly when concerns about grooming gangs emerged and warning against attempts to "manipulate" the facts surrounding the scandal.
The hearings are expected to begin in December, with a range of politicians, police officers, council leaders and campaigners potentially being called to give evidence over the coming months.
