The government’s much-anticipated grooming gangs inquiry has hit rock bottom. A fourth survivor has quit the victims’ panel in shock after discovering the backgrounds of the two shortlisted chairs.
Shock Resignation Rocks Starmer’s Inquiry
Jessica – a West Yorkshire survivor who helped convict multiple abusers – pulled out last night after learning the frontrunners to lead the investigation were ex-police officer Jim Gamble and former social worker Annie Hudson.
Her resignation marks the fourth in mere days, raising serious doubts over Starmer’s promise to deliver justice for thousands of children failed by institutions for decades.
Jessica told GB News: “When I found out the two potential chairs were a former police officer and a former social worker, I was shocked and I didn’t know how they could be involved.”
Her concerns echo those of previous quitters Fiona Goddard, Ellie-Ann Reynolds, and a third survivor known as Elizabeth – all protesting the irony of having representatives from the very institutions that let them down in charge of the probe.
Annie Hudson Bows Out Amid Media Backlash
In a dramatic twist, Hudson withdrew before surviving interviews, citing intense media pressure. Formerly a director of children’s services for Lambeth and Bristol councils, she faced fury from survivors blaming social services for covering up mass abuse.
This leaves Gamble as the only known candidate, though he too faces fierce opposition from survivors.
Survivors Fear Inquiry Is Being Watered Down
Jessica accused the inquiry of dodging “uncomfortable truths” to avoid stoking racial tensions. “I feel like they’re scared of being criticised and called racist and they don’t want to upset communities,” she said. “There needs to be some accountability for what these people did to us.”
Survivors also fear the government is expanding the inquiry’s scope beyond grooming gangs to general child sexual exploitation – a move they say risks diluting focus on the ethnic and religious dynamics central to the crimes.
Jessica insisted: “This needs to be specifically based on grooming gangs. We’ve never had a proper investigation into just grooming gangs.”
Political Interference and Broken Trust
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips denied claims of broadening the inquiry and accused critics of spreading “misinformation,” despite survivors reporting otherwise, deepening the rift.
Fiona Goddard blasted the appointment of insiders from failed services as a “disturbing conflict of interest,” warning it would undermine survivor trust. She demanded a judge-led inquiry instead.
Adding to the chaos, some panel members were blocked from meeting the chair candidates, sparking outrage about transparency and fairness.
Ellie-Ann Reynolds said: “The Home Office held meetings we weren’t told about, made decisions we could not question, and withheld information that directly affected our work.”
Both Goddard and Reynolds accused the government of political meddling to soften the inquiry’s findings, with Goddard citing links between panel members and Labour ministers.
Lawyer Richard Scorer warned: “Political interference at such an early stage… does not bode well.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp slammed the inquiry as “watered down” and called for a senior judge to lead the probe, not insiders “marking their own homework.”
Four Months In and No Chair Appointed
Launched in summer 2025 after Baroness Casey’s scathing audit, the inquiry still lacks an appointed chair and clear terms of reference – fuelling suspicions of incompetence or deliberate stalling.
Home Office assurances that the process is “ongoing” and focused on justice look shaky as survivors continue to quit and candidates withdraw.
With trust shattered and a mounting crisis of confidence, can the government salvage this investigation – or is this just another establishment cover-up hiding behind a hollow inquiry?
