Yvette Cooper to 'look at' national grooming gangs inquiry after string of Labour U-turns
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has hinted that she will consider a national inquiry into grooming gangs.Cooper said she would "look at" whatever kind of action towards Britain's rape gangs is recommended by Baroness Casey's forthcoming report.The Home Secretary has previously resisted calls for a national inquiry - instead proposing "local" investigations into grooming scandals.Just last month, she cast off calls for a national probe because "we've had already a seven-year statutory inquiry into child sexual abuse".The Home Secretary has previously resisted calls for a national inquiryGETTYCooper told the BBC on Sunday her "big concern" was the need for police chiefs to "take much stronger action right now" on rape gang cases.She also stressed the urgency of investigating historical crimes and reviewing previously "closed" cases where no further action was taken."The most urgent thing is we still need much stronger police investigations into these crimes, we need to see more of these perpetrators behind bars," Cooper said.When asked whether Labour would reconsider its opposition to a national inquiry, Cooper said: "What we'll look at is what is the action that is needed to deliver change and to make sure both that victims can get justice and also that perpetrators can end up behind bars."She noted she hadn't yet seen Baroness Casey's recommendations - but would "of course, look at all of them".MORE ON GROOMING GANGS - BRITAIN'S SHAME:Cooper said she had not seen Baroness Casey's recommendations - but would 'of course, look at all of them' in due coursePAThe Home Secretary added that delivering action was "the most important thing".Cooper referenced previous lengthy inquiries, including the seven-year-long Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and an undercover policing inquiry which has been ongoing for a decade.The findings of Baroness Casey's audit into the abuse scandal, examining its scale, nature and the profile of the gangs behind it are expected later in May.Last month, Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips suggested that local inquiries would "go further" than the five already announced.GB News was later told that the Government was weighing up "more than five" local rape gang probes.Jess Phillips suggested that local inquiries would 'go further' than the five already announcedPAOn Sunday, Cooper added: "We need that police investigation to pursue those perpetrators and prevent those crimes taking place, including historic[al] crimes, as well as crimes that are still taking place."The proposal for a national inquiry has received cross-party support from politicians - including Labour peer Lord Maurice Glasman, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp.Supporters are calling for an 18-month inquiry established under parliamentary statute with powers to compel witnesses.The proposed inquiry would investigate and name any institutions or individuals responsible for covering up child sex abuse perpetrated by grooming gangs.
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