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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch engaged in a fiery exchange during the first Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) of 2025. They clashed over whether the UK should launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs, an issue Badenoch called one of the “worst scandals in British history.”
Badenoch criticized existing investigations, including the 2022 Jay Inquiry, for failing to reveal the “full extent” of abuse. She called for a new statutory inquiry, claiming, “There have been thousands more victims, but no one has joined the dots or has the total picture. It is almost certainly still going on.”
Citing a victim from Telford, Badenoch argued that a new inquiry was vital for accountability. “One victim says she wants a national inquiry because it will hold people accountable in a way that previous inquiries have not,” she said.
The Conservatives proposed an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, debated in Parliament, to mandate the inquiry. However, Labour warned that the amendment could derail the bill entirely.
Starmer opposed the proposal, emphasizing action over further investigations. “Another seven-year inquiry would take us to 2031,” he said, arguing that implementing the recommendations of Professor Alexis Jay’s Inquiry should be the priority.
“The Conservatives didn’t act on the recommendations they accepted,” Starmer said. “They’ve been tweeting and talking, we’ve been acting.”
Badenoch accused Starmer of resisting the inquiry to avoid accountability, warning, “Does he not see that by resisting this one, people will start to worry about a cover-up?”
Starmer dismissed her claims as “lies and misinformation,” insisting the focus should remain on victims. “These lies and slinging of mud don’t help them one bit,” he said.
The prime minister also accused Badenoch of opportunism, saying, “She has only recently jumped on the bandwagon. When she was in power, I don’t recall her once raising this issue in the House or calling for a national inquiry.”
Badenoch countered, “This is not about you or your former work with the Crown Prosecution Service. This is about the victims. Be a leader, not a lawyer.”
Mixed Reactions
- Jess Phillips (Safeguarding Minister): Phillips took a cautious stance, saying on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, “Nothing is off the table. If victims come forward and say they want a national inquiry, I’ll listen to them.”
- Elon Musk (Tech Billionaire): Musk joined the debate on X, accusing Starmer and Phillips of “deflecting accountability” and supporting calls for an inquiry.
- Victims’ Groups: Some victims voiced support for a new inquiry, saying it would ensure accountability, while others expressed concerns about delays in action.
The amendment is expected to fail. Meanwhile, critics accuse both parties of using the issue for political gain. Political editor Chris Mason observed, “The PM tried to take the heat out of the issue, but without question, the heat is there.”
Starmer and Badenoch Clash Over National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs Scandal
