Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under fire after labelling those who demand justice for the victims of grooming gangs as “far right.”
Critics, including prominent Conservative figures and survivors’ advocates, have slammed his comments as offensive, tone-deaf, and dismissive of one of Britain’s darkest scandals.
A Grotesque Insult to Survivors
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman led the charge, condemning Starmer’s remarks as a “grotesque insult” to the survivors of industrial-scale abuse.
“I’ve sat with some of the survivors in Rotherham and Rochdale. I’ve heard first hand their harrowing stories,” she said. “I often think about how terrified they must have been when they were being abused.
“The failure to stop the industrial scale rape and grooming of young British girls is one of our nation’s biggest scandals. And it continues today.
“For the Prime Minister to label anyone concerned with this scandal as ‘far right’ is a grotesque insult to survivors and to millions of decent people across the country.
“They aren’t jumping on a ‘bandwagon’ here. They are, rightly, furious with this injustice.
“As Home Secretary, the Grooming Gangs Taskforce I set up made over 500 arrests in its first year alone. Does the PM think that’s ‘far right’ as well?
“These brave women deserve one thing now: Justice. Not a weak Prime Minister who is running scared from the truth.”
Outrage from Conservative Figures
MP Robert Jenrick, a Conservative leadership contender, echoed Braverman’s sentiments, calling Starmer’s comments “outrageous.”
“Millions of people in this country want justice and answers for the thousands of young girls who were raped and abused in the most evil ways imaginable,” he said.
“They are not the far-right – and to suggest otherwise is outrageous.
“They are normal people – including mothers and fathers who hear the testimony of the victims, and imagine it was their own children or grandchildren. They are rightly furious about the most appalling abuse of incredibly vulnerable little girls and the subsequent cover up.
“In seeking to smear individuals demanding an inquiry – which is supported by many victims – as ‘far-right’, Starmer displays the same attitude that led to this scandal continuing for so long.
“Where once weak and cowardly local councillors and officials suppressed proper scrutiny, now it is the Prime Minister himself.
“He has learned nothing.
“Starmer’s Government has launched more than 60 reviews since taking office, but won’t launch a national inquiry into rape gangs. Why? There is no acceptable excuse.”
Jenrick also highlighted that Oldham Council, under Labour, had requested government support to conduct a review, admitting they were “not best-placed” to handle it themselves.
“Victims now demand a national inquiry,” he said. “Previous reviews have looked at specific places and elements of the scandal, but nothing has explored it in totality. Such grave state failure warrants the same form of national inquiry we have undertaken in the past. Nothing less is acceptable.”
A Leader Out of Touch
Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch took a broader swipe at Starmer, accusing him of outdated tactics and failing to address today’s pressing issues.
“Starmer is applying Labour smear tactics from 20 years ago and thinks they will work today,” Badenoch said. “He is a man of the past with no answers for today’s problems, let alone tomorrow’s.
“That such a huge scandal could occur should prompt soul-searching, not ranting that those of us who care about it are ‘the far-right.’ I was serious when I said it’s time to get justice for victims.
“So on Wednesday, Conservatives will put forward an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing Bill to require a full national inquiry into the rape gangs grooming scandal.
“If the amendment is selected, I hope MPs from all parties will vote to support the inquiry, so we can do right by the victims and end the culture of cover ups.”
Public Demand for Accountability
Starmer’s comments have sparked widespread outrage, with critics accusing the Prime Minister of dismissing the legitimate concerns of ordinary citizens, survivors, and campaigners. The scandal, which has plagued towns like Rotherham, Rochdale, and Oldham for years, remains a festering wound in British society.
As the debate continues, all eyes will be on Parliament this week to see whether Starmer’s government will face renewed pressure to launch a long-overdue national inquiry into one of the nation’s most shameful failures.
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