Latest news with #groomingGangs
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Rayner's secret Islamophobia talks ‘risk new grooming gang cover-up'
Angela Rayner is accused of wanting to secretly drive through a definition of Islamophobia that could make it harder to discuss grooming gangs. The Deputy Prime Minister has appointed a working group to come up with a definition to be used across government. It is chaired by Dominic Grieve, the former Tory Cabinet minister, who has praised a 2019 study that called the discussion of 'grooming gangs' an example of 'anti-Muslim racism'. However, Claire Coutinho, a Conservative frontbencher, told The Telegraph she was concerned the process could be influenced by 'activists who have promoted extreme definitions of Islamophobia'. She has written to Ms Rayner accusing her of having the work carried out in secret, without the public being able to offer their views during a consultation period. And she pointed out that a ' culture of secrecy around matters relating to race and religion ' was a key factor enabling 'gangs of men to groom, rape, and torture young girls with impunity'. Critics have warned that some proposed definitions of Islamophobia would make it impossible for people to raise concerns about Asian grooming gangs. It comes after a report by Baroness Louise Casey found that hundreds of girls had suffered unimaginable sexual abuse, in part because some in authority had not tackled the issue out of fear of appearing racist. Ms Coutinho, the shadow minister for equalities, said was concerned the process would 'stifle free speech', and 'almost certainly would have prevented people from speaking out about the shocking abuse of young girls, disproportionately perpetrated by Pakistani Muslim men '. She told The Telegraph: 'The Casey report was crystal clear. For years, people were too scared to tell the truth about the rape and torture of children because they were scared of being called racist. 'Yet Labour is doubling down – pushing a secretive process including the voices of activists who have promoted extreme definitions of Islamophobia that would prevent people discussing genuine concerns around extremism and integration. 'Freedom of speech is not an optional extra in Britain. Angela Rayner must allow the general public to have their say on the definition of Islamophobia and make sure that no religions, belief systems, or people who hold a certain faith are beyond criticism.' The 2019 all-party parliamentary study on Islamophobia praised by Mr Grieve said: 'The recourse to the notion of free speech and a supposed right to criticise Islam results in nothing more than another subtle form of anti-Muslim racism, whereby the criticism humiliates, marginalises, and stigmatises Muslims. One real-life example of this concerns the issue of 'grooming gangs'.' Mr Grieve described the report at the time as 'well-researched' and 'an important contribution to the debate'. However, it was condemned by Kemi Badenoch, the equalities minister at the time, although the Labour Party adopted the definition and the examples referenced in the report. The working group includes Baroness Shaista Gohir, who in 2013 wrote a report arguing that the 'media coverage being given to British Pakistani offenders' was 'disproportionate', and that this was helping to 'fuel racism and Islamophobia'. She wrote: 'Right-wing populist groups have used this issue to fuel racism and Islamophobia, ignoring evidence that sexual exploitation occurs in every community and that the majority of offenders are white.' Another member, Akeela Ahmed, has called for the government to engage with the Muslim Council of Britain, despite alleged links to extremism. The new working group recently announced that although certain groups would be invited to respond to a consultation on any definition, the public would not be asked to do so. In her letter, Ms Coutinho said: 'This is unacceptable given the wide-ranging and serious implications that the definition will have on freedom of speech.' When the group comes up with its decision, it will be sent to Ms Rayner to sign off. The terms of reference state that the recommendations of the working group will not be published. Ms Coutinho continued: 'Surely in this, of all policy areas, the public deserve full transparency. 'A culture of secrecy around matters relating to race and religion – and self-censorship for fear of causing offence – was a key factor in what enabled gangs of men to groom, rape, and torture young girls with impunity. 'The Casey report has said, in no uncertain terms, that many examples were found of organisations avoiding the discussion of grooming gangs altogether 'for fear of appearing racist, raising community tensions or causing community cohesion problems'. 'For you to continue this work in secrecy, and without inviting views from the general public or wider society, would demonstrate that the Government has clearly not learnt the necessary lessons of the Casey report and the importance of transparency in maintaining public trust.' Those invited to take part in the consultation are asked for views on: what terminology to use, the need for a definition, whether racism should be a component of any new definition, what should be included within a definition, and examples of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia. The warnings were backed by the Policy Exchange think tank, which claimed an official definition of Islamophobia could shut down vital debate on grooming gangs. The report urged the Government to suspend Mr Grieve's working group with immediate effect, pending the conclusion of the national inquiry into grooming gangs in three years' time. Sir John Jenkins, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia and co-author of the report, said any official definition of Islamophobia would 'almost certainly turbocharge ' cancel culture '' and would 'be an undeniable act of two-tier policy, creating special status and protection for members of one faith alone'. A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: 'We are absolutely committed to defending freedom of speech, and any proposed definition must be compatible with the right to freedom of speech and expression.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Labour's work to devise official definition of 'Islamophobia' should be suspended IMMEDIATELY as it risks worsening grooming gangs scandal, report warns
Labour moves to draw up an official definition of Islamophobia would shut down efforts to combat grooming gangs, a new report warns. The Policy Exchange think-tank said the work of the Government's 'Anti-Muslim Hate/Islamophobia Definition Working Group', set up earlier this year, should be immediately suspended. Devising a government-backed definition of Islamophobia – even though it would not initially have any force in law – would 'almost certainly turbocharge cancel culture ', it said. Policy Exchange's warning came days after a long-awaited review by Whitehall troubleshooter Baroness Casey found public bodies covered up sickening evidence about Asian grooming gangs 'for fear of appearing racist '. Councils, police forces and the Home Office repeatedly 'shied away' from dealing with 'uncomfortable' questions about the ethnicity of rapists preying on thousands of vulnerable girls. In the wake of the Casey review, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper promised to 'root out' the grooming gang 'scourge'. But Policy Exchange's report warns: 'At the same time, ministers are pursuing a policy which will have the opposite effect. 'It would have made exposing the grooming scandal even harder and slower than it already was. It will make rooting out the scourge more difficult. It will give perpetrators a new place to hide.' Ministers said in March that the move to devise a definition would 'seek to provide the government and other relevant bodies with an understanding of unacceptable treatment and prejudice against Muslim communities'. It would not carry statutory power, at least initially, but there have been widespread concerns that it would lead to Islam being given protections beyond those afforded to other religions. The work is being led by former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve KC. Policy Exchange senior fellow and former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sir John Jenkins, said in a letter to Mr Grieve: 'Whatever form of words is chosen, and whatever legal status it has to start with, any definition will have serious consequences. 'It will almost certainly turbocharge 'cancel culture'. 'Even without the force of an official definition, claims of Islamophobia are already used to close down legitimate debate and deter investigation of alleged wrongdoing, as in Rotherham or Batley, with disastrous results all round, including for the wider Muslim community itself.' He added: 'Unless it literally restates the existing legal protections covering all faiths, any official Islamophobia definition will be an undeniable act of two-tier policy, creating special status and protection for members of one faith alone. 'It is unlikely to alleviate Islamist discontent – it will stoke it, creating new opportunities for grievance politics, challenge and attack in every institution and workplace.' Sir John said the working group 'may have begun its work with its conclusions pre-determined', adding that he had 'little confidence' it would approach key issues with an open mind. The report said the government's work should be put on hold until the end of a national inquiry on grooming gangs, which Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer belatedly ordered in the wake of the Casey review. Dr Paul Stott, head of security and extremism at Policy Exchange, said: ''A danger going forward is that the proposed 'Islamophobia' definition could shut down discussion on grooming gangs and if accepted by Government restrict debate on this and on other issues vital to our social cohesion.' He added: 'This week has demonstrated the need to move on from the view that concern about grooming gangs is in some way racist, Islamophobic, or a far-right issue. 'It is clearly not and it never was.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Liz Truss Hits Back After Jess Phillips Says She Started 'Far-Right Bandwagon' Over Grooming Gangs
Liz Truss has rejected claims from minister Jess Phillips that she started the 'far-right bandwagon' over a grooming gangs probe. The government suddenly decided to hold a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal over the weekend. The announcement was a shock, considering prime minister Keir Starmer accused any politicians calling for such a probe of 'jumping onto a far-right bandwagon' back in January. The grooming gangs scandal went viral at the start of the year when tech magnate and then-Donald Trump ally Elon Musk called safeguarding minister Phillips a 'rape genocide apologist' for not ordering a national inquiry into the historic abuse. While defending her boss's past remarks last night, Phillips claimed former Tory prime minister Truss actually 'started' that far-right bandwagon. The minister told BBC Newsnight: 'I think that what the prime minister was saying – this was in the wake of Elon Musk furore – was that the Conservative politicians, Kemi Badenoch, the shadow home secretary Chris Philp, he was saying they were 'jumping on the bandwagon of Elon Musk.' Phillips then interrupted herself, noting: 'I think it was actually Liz Truss, she gets forgotten in all this story, Liz Truss who started it and then Elon Musk carried it on.' On Tuesday morning, Truss replied on X: 'I accused Jess Phillips of excusing masked Islamist thugs – which she did. 'And of rejecting Oldham's calls for a government inquiry into grooming gangs – which she did. 'It was not a 'far-right bandwagon'. 'It was about holding her to account for her complete dereliction of duty.' I accused @jessphillips of excusing masked Islamist thugs - which she of rejecting Oldham's calls for a Government inquiry into grooming gangs - which she was not a "far-right bandwagon".It was about holding her to account for her complete dereliction of… — Liz Truss (@trussliz) June 17, 2025 Labour insisted in January that a fresh inquiry was not needed as they were still implementing the recommendations from a 2022 report into the scandal, despite substantial backlash. The prime minister has now U-turned, and claims to be following the recommendations of the new independent review from Baroness Casey into child sexual exploitation. The Conservatives have subsequently called on Starmer to apologise for his 'far-right' accusations. But Phillips told the BBC that Starmer was essentially just asking the Tories: 'Where have you been?' She pointed out that Badenoch was the children's minister and Chris Philp was the policing minister under the last Tory government. Phillips also rejected claims that the 'far-right bandwagon' accusation was a 'knee-jerk reaction' to their opponents on the right. She said: 'I think it was because they're politicians who have never cared and thought it was political expedient.' 'We Have Lost More Than A Decade': Labour Unveils 'Damning' Results Of Grooming Gang Review Top Tory's 'Excuse' As To Why Party Didn't Call Grooming Gangs Inquiry In Office Torn Apart Keir Starmer Performs Major U-Turn As He Backs National Inquiry Into Groomings Gangs
Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Michael Gove: Whitehall officials tried to suppress grooming gangs scandal
Lord Gove has claimed that Whitehall officials tried to suppress details of the grooming gangs scandal. The former Cabinet minister said he overruled government and council officials who were seeking to block the publication of information about a victim in Rotherham. As the then education secretary, he said he rejected the attempted legal action on the basis that it was better to tell 'the truth'. Lord Gove also warned that the proposed structure of a new national inquiry into the scandal might limit its ability to scrutinise the failings of police and government at a national level. His comments, made on GB News, come days after the publication of a report by Baroness Casey which found that police and councils avoided pursuing child sex grooming gangs for fear of being viewed as racist. Even though there was evidence that a disproportionate number of Asian men had been responsible in such cases, their role was covered up by successive governments and authorities over concerns about raising community tensions, the review concluded. Lord Gove recalled a request by Rotherham council to block an investigation by Andrew Norfolk, a reporter for The Times newspaper, into the scandal in 2011 by mounting a legal challenge against his attempt to publish details of a 'particularly tragic case'. He said he had examined the material alongside Dominic Cummings, who was working in the Department for Education at the time, and some other staff. 'We contacted Rotherham council, and we said: 'Yes, we will intervene in this case, but on behalf of The Times, because it's absolutely vital that the truth be told',' Lord Gove said. 'It was absolutely the case that there were those who thought that it was appropriate for us not to intervene. 'So the documents in question revealed some details about one particular victim, and it was argued by the council, and by some officials who were sympathetic to their case, that revealing everything about the case might mean that other potential victims, other family members, might be adversely affected. 'And there was also an argument that the council itself was making improvements, and that as a result of these improvements being made, that would be imperilled potentially if there were adverse publicity. 'I think those arguments were made in good faith, but my view, Dominic Cummings's view, was that it was far more important that we told the truth.' He said he adopted the same approach to serious case reviews into the failings of councils, which were heavily censored until he intervened to require 'the greatest possible transparency'. Lord Gove said a proposed national inquiry into the scandal should be 'much more than what it might appear to be at the moment'. 'It appears that the Government may default and make the national inquiry simply a sort of umbrella for lots of specific local inquiries,' he said. 'There are as many as 50 towns and cities across the country in which these gangs have operated or continue to operate, there are failures in policing at a national level that need to be addressed. It is also the case that decisions made within the Home Office and other government departments do need to be scrutinised.' He added: 'One of the things about this whole story, right from the very beginning, has been that there have been people who, for admittedly noble reasons, because they didn't want to see the details being exploited by the very far-Right, have tried to manage the information.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
'My mother was called racist for raising grooming gang issue'
The son of a former Labour MP who was the first to raise concerns about Asian grooming gangs has described how his mother was smeared and attacked for being a racist, particularly by members of her own Cryer, a former MP who now sits in the House of Lords, highlighted the backlash endured by his mother Ann when she spoke up about the issue in her Keighley constituency in peer Lord Cryer called for prosecutions of anyone who knew about the child abuse by a group of older men from the Pakistani community, but chose to cover it was speaking after a nationwide inquiry into grooming gangs was announced by the prime minister. The government's decision came after Baroness Casey's report, published on Monday, found the ethnicity of perpetrators had been "shied away from", with data not recorded for two-thirds of Secretary Yvette Cooper claimed officials had dodged the issue of ethnicity among the groups of sex offenders for fear of being called racist, even though available data showed suspects were disproportionately likely to be Asian men. Ms Cryer was MP for Keighley when she was alerted to the problem in her constituency by a group of concerned mothers, who said their young daughters were being sexually exploited by a group of older Asian men and the police and social services were refusing to going public, she faced accusations that she was a racist and also received threatening notes and phone calls, leading police to install a panic alarm in her stood down as an MP in the years since, a series of high-profile grooming scandals have been exposed, including in Rotherham and to a ministerial statement on the Casey review, Lord Cryer spoke of the backlash his mother faced when she first raised the issue."I'm talking about councillors, councils and other institutions who went on the attack and lied and smeared about the rape gangs," he said."I think some of them were complicit. Some of them knew it was going on, and they decided to cover up."In reply, Home Office minister Lord Hanson of Flint said: "I served in Parliament with Ann and I know she raised these matters and faced extreme difficulties locally as result, and took a very brave stand at that time."Stressing the need to address the issue, he added: "My party wasn't in control of government when a lot of these issues happened, but I have still got a responsibility to look at making sure we deal with these in an effective way."Earlier, he told peers other recommendations made by Baroness Casey would be implemented "in very short order".Additional reporting by PA Media. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
