VICTIMS of grooming gangs can have confidence in the planned national inquiry into grooming gangs, Justice Minister Sarah Sackman insisted today, despite two survivors quitting their roles in the probe.

Fiona Goddard and Ellie-Ann Reynolds resigned from the inquiry’s victims and survivors liaison panel on Monday, accusing the Home Office of “secretive conduct” and creating a “toxic, fearful environment.”

Ms Goddard said “condescending and controlling language” had been used towards survivors, warning of “a high risk of people feeling silenced all over again.”

Nonetheless, Ms Sackman said: “As minister for courts, my focus is always on the victims. They can have confidence.

“This government has acted in ordering a national inquiry. 

“I want to reassure victims that we will stop at nothing to ensure that they get the justice they deserve.”

Ms Reynolds accused the Home Office of holding meetings “without telling survivors” and making “decisions we couldn’t question.” 

She said: “The push to change the remit, to widen it in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse … is to rewrite history.”

She told LBC the panel discouraged survivors from seeking support from family or peers — which she called “more of a manipulation tactic” — and said the process had left survivors divided. 

“We genuinely had faith that it was going to serve its purpose and we’ve literally just watched it collapse underneath us,” she told GB News.

Both women also raised concerns over candidates shortlisted  to chair the inquiry, saying one was a former police chief and another a social worker, which Ms Goddard described as a “disturbing conflict of interest.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Any suggestion that this inquiry is being watered down is completely wrong. We are committed to delivering a robust, thorough inquiry that will get to the truth.”