Oldham Councillor Brian Hobin has reaffirmed his commitment to a local inquiry into grooming gangs, asserting he will relentlessly advocate for justice despite concerns regarding potential scaling back of similar national investigations.
The announcement follows anxieties sparked by comments from Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, which suggested the possibility of diminishing the scope of the five inquiries into grooming gangs previously pledged by the Home Secretary.
Speaking to GB News, Councillor Hobin expressed his disappointment, stating: “I was shocked and surprised by yesterday’s news. My immediate concern was for the survivors, many of whom are still grappling with the trauma they’ve endured.” He continued, “The bombshell dropped yesterday afternoon, a development that I believe was deeply upsetting to both the survivors and those working tirelessly alongside them.”
Despite this, Hobin emphasized that the local inquiry in Oldham remains unaffected. “Regardless of what has been said, here in Oldham, we are pressing forward with our investigation,” he affirmed.
Key Developments:
- Convictions related to the Rotherham grooming gang case now exceed those previously secured for other perpetrators of similar abuse.
- Kemi Badenoch has vowed to ensure a comprehensive inquiry into rape gangs following what she described as a Labour U-turn.
- A former police officer criticized Labour for allegedly overlooking the experiences of victims of these crimes.
Hobin confirmed ongoing discussions with Tom, the King’s Counsel (KC) slated to lead the inquiry, and reiterated full support from the council leader and chief executive. “We are confident that our inquiry will continue, even if others face challenges,” he stated.
“Hopefully, Oldham will serve as a beacon for these investigations moving forward,” Hobin added. “Our aim is to delve as deeply as possible into this issue, ensuring justice for the survivors remains paramount.” He emphasized, “They want answers and they deserve justice. That’s what we will relentlessly pursue, regardless of any obstacles.”
“We will get to the heart of this issue,” Hobin asserted, “and ensure that justice for the survivors is at the forefront of everything we do.”
The inquiries were initiated in response to findings from Professor Alexis Jay’s investigation into child sexual abuse, which revealed widespread institutional failings and highlighted the experiences of tens of thousands of victims across England and Wales.
Responding to concerns about a perceived lack of progress, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy firmly refuted suggestions that the government is weakening its approach. “That’s simply not true,” she stated in an interview with Times Radio. “We are actively listening to victims and local authorities nationwide to ensure they have the resources needed to address this deeply troubling issue effectively within their own communities.”
