Former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will be summoned to give evidence to the national grooming gangs inquiry, it has emerged. Sir Keir, who has repeatedly defended his role in the scandal, has been listed as a core participant.
Inquiry Hearings and Core Participants
The hearings will start with the experiences of victims and survivors. The probe, led by Baroness Anne Longfield, will then examine institutional responses amid widespread fears of cover-ups.
A list published by the inquiry today also reveals the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, will give evidence, as will Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Communities Secretary Angela Rayner and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Core Participant Status Explained
The inquiry team said in a statement on Thursday: "In awarding Core Participant status, the Chair of the Inquiry considers whether a person played, or may have played, a direct and significant role in relation to the matters to which the inquiry relates, whether they have a significant interest in an important aspect of the matters to which the inquiry relates, or whether the person may be subject to explicit or significant criticism during the inquiry proceedings or in the report, or in any interim report."
It is expected that Sir Keir will give evidence in the second phase of the inquiry. Other core participants include Greater Manchester Police whistleblower Maggie Oliver and Rotherham whistleblower Jayne Senior.
Local Investigations and Focus Areas
The Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs confirmed London, Oldham and Bradford and Keighley will be the first areas to face local investigations, following multiple Daily Express investigations.
The inquiry will explore "the wider network of grooming gangs across London's satellite towns and cities" and will focus on the capital's role "in the national network of grooming gangs". They admitted there needs to be an "early investigation" because London "has the highest rate of referrals for child sexual exploitation" in the country and extensive transport links.
