A bid by the Conservatives to launch a new national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal was shot down by Labour MPs who voted against the amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing Bill by 364 to 111 on January 8.
Among the 253 strong majority was Luke Murphy, MP for Basingstoke, who stood by the Labour party’s decision.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer argued that several inquiries had been carried out already, detailing the abuse carried out by gangs of men against vulnerable children.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer told me a new hospital will be built, let’s see if he delivers
Luke Murphy MP with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Basingstoke (Image: Matt Rooks-Taylor)
Speaking in Parliament, he said: “There is a view and I share this view that what is needed now is action on what we already know.
“We already know that warped ideas, myths and stereotypes about victims are at the heart of this.
“What we need now is action.”
Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, said: “There have been over 1,400 victims across Oldham, Bradford, Bristol, Rochdale and dozens more towns.
“There have been thousands more victims but no one has joined the dots, no one has the total picture and it is almost certainly still going on.
“One victim from Telford said she wants a national inquiry because it will hold people accountable in a way that previous inquiries have not.
“It is very possible to have actions, take on more and still have a national inquiry.”
The Prime Minister accused the leader of the opposition of jumping on the “bandwagon” after calls for a new inquiry picked up traction on social media.
It is said that the vote was largely symbolic, designed to put pressure on the government after Elon Musk made several comments on X criticising Keir Starmer and safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, after she rejected a new national inquiry into child sexual abuse in Oldham, arguing it should be done locally.
The Gazette has contacted Luke Murphy for a response.