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Two former abuse survivors have stepped down from their positions on the national inquiry into grooming gangs, the government has confirmed. Fiona Goddard, a survivor of abuse in a Bradford children’s home, resigned from the victims’ liaison panel due to concerns about the inquiry’s shortlisted chairs, one of whom is said to be a former police chief and the other a social worker. Additionally, Ellie-Ann Reynolds has also resigned, with reports denying that ministers would avoid reporting racial or religious motives behind grooming gangs.
A spokesperson from the Home Office emphasized their commitment to conducting a robust and thorough inquiry, stating that any suggestions of watering down the investigation were incorrect. In response to concerns raised by the resignations, the police will now be required to collect ethnicity data of perpetrators involved in group-based child exploitation and abuse. The government expressed gratitude for the insights shared by survivors and continued to engage with victims to contribute to the inquiry process and chair selections.
The resignation of Ms. Goddard was also attributed to the “condescending and controlling language used towards survivors” during the inquiry process. She criticized the secretive conduct and conditions imposed on survivors, creating a toxic environment. Ms. Goddard highlighted the potential chairs’ backgrounds in policing and social work, raising concerns about conflicts of interest in addressing national abuse issues.
Solicitor Richard Scorer, representing grooming gang survivors, supported Ms. Goddard’s claims and called for a thorough investigation into past failings. Urging for a senior judge to lead the inquiry, Scorer emphasized the need for impartiality and accountability. Downing Street reiterated their commitment to conducting a comprehensive inquiry but refrained from providing detailed commentary on the ongoing process. The resignation highlights the challenging nature of addressing and investigating cases of abuse within the grooming gang context
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