Former Police Chief Jim Gamble has withdrawn from Keir Starmer's grooming gang inquiry, citing political interference and mistrust among survivors. Image credit: The Guardian
Gamble, a former deputy chief constable and among the most veteran child protection experts in Britain, described how political infighting and misinformation resulted in an “unworkable” situation. His departure came hours after four survivors resigned from the liaison panel of the inquiry, who accused it of being gaslit and tried to restrict its remit.
“I had expected my track record of autonomy to allow me to give justice,” Gamble told Sky News in an interview. “But the venom and amount of disinformation disrespects survivors. They deserve better.”
Survivors Demand Judge-Led Inquiry
Survivor Fiona Goddard, who resigned, invited Prime Minister Keir Starmer to meet her in person. “It must be a judge or a lawyer leading this inquiry,” she went on. “No police officer must be anywhere near it; some of the victims were raped by officers.”
The officials wrote an open letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, accusing Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips of downplaying survivors’ concerns publicly. They demanded she resign before they even considered returning.
“Being publicly contradicted by a government minister when you’re telling the truth puts you back in that place of not being believed,” the letter stated. “It’s a betrayal that’s eroded what little trust remained.”.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the government of “waging a briefing war against survivors.” “If survivors feel ignored and manipulated, what’s the point of this inquiry?” she asked.
Starmer defended the process, promising the inquiry “will not be watered down” and announcing Baroness Louise Casey would once more be an adviser. “Injustice will have no place to hide,” he told MPs, assuring that the inquiry would fully examine the ethnicity and religion of offenders.
All the survivors have not resigned from the panel. Samantha Walker-Roberts and Carly, both victims of grooming gangs, said they will stay and believe that the inquiry needs to include wider cases of child sexual exploitation.
“It’s untrue that some survivors are unable to look beyond themselves,” Walker-Roberts said. “Everyone has a right to justice, and the remit needs to be broadened.”
Carly went on to say: “Survivors must be kept at the heart of this process. Political rows must be left at the door.”
Government Defends Process
The Home Office was shocked at the resignations but maintained that the inquiry remains a priority.
“The grooming gangs abuse was one of Britain’s darkest moments,” said a spokesperson. “This government is committed to finding out the truth. Victims deserve no less.”
Despite all those assurances, faith in the process is still in shambles. Survivors and activists are threatening that the inquiry stands the risk of losing credibility before it even begins.
As bluntly put by Gamble: “This was the opportunity of a generation to do the right thing. Instead, it’s a political football. Victims and survivors deserve so much better.”
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