Skip to main content
General Strike Anniversary
Sexual abuse victims become Westminster's political football
Starmer and Badenoch claim to speak on behalf of the abused, yet both focus mainly on scoring points off each other
Screen grab of Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London, January 8, 2025

SEXUAL abuse victims became a Westminster football today as party leaders squabbled over whether to hold a national inquiry into the grooming scandal.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told MPs that the Tory push for an official probe was unnecessary and risked wrecking government legislation aimed at boosting child protection.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, with online backing from far-right tech billionaire Elon Musk, demanded a national inquiry into grooming gangs and persisted with Commons amendments to initiate one.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Justice Secretary Angela Constance makes a statement to Parliament at Holyrood, Edinburgh, January 23, 2025
Scotland / 3 December 2025
3 December 2025
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party Conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex, October 8, 2025
The Tories / 8 October 2025
8 October 2025
Women's rights campaigners in Westminster, London after taking part in a march from the Royal Courts of Justice calling for decriminalisation of abortion, June 17, 2023
Abortion Rights / 18 June 2025
18 June 2025
Baroness Louise Casey answering question from the London Assembly police and crime committee at City Hall in east London, March 22, 2023
Britain / 17 June 2025
17 June 2025