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Labour has been accused of “sabotaging” the national grooming gangs inquiry after two survivors resigned from its oversight panel, claiming “political interference” and mishandling by the Home Office. Fiona Goddard and Ellie-Ann Reynolds stepped down from the inquiry’s victims and survivors liaison panel on Monday. In her resignation letter, Ms Goddard described “secretive conduct” and the use of “condescending and controlling language” towards survivors. She also warned of a “toxic, fearful environment” and a “high risk of people feeling silenced all over again”. Ms Reynolds accused the Home Office of excluding survivors from key discussions and holding meetings without notifying them, saying officials made “decisions we couldn’t question.” She added: “The final turning point for me was the push to change the remit, to widen it in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse. “For many of us, these were not incidental factors; they were central to why we were targeted and why institutions failed to act. To erase that truth is to rewrite history.” The resignations have triggered renewed calls for the inquiry to be scrapped and replaced with a fully independent, judge-led process. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Many will now suspect Labour is sabotaging the grooming gangs inquiry and deliberately dragging it out beyond the next election. “It has now been over four months since Keir Starmer was dragged into launching a national inquiry, yet nothing has happened. We need a judge-led inquiry with full statutory powers.” Both Ms Goddard and Ms Reynolds also expressed concern about the candidates shortlisted to chair the inquiry, one of whom is reportedly a former police chief and the other a social worker. Ms Goddard said: “This is a disturbing conflict of interest and I fear the lack of trust in services from years of failings and corruption will have a negative impact in survivor engagement with this inquiry.” Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, shadow justice secretary Mr Jenrick said the resignations "cast a real shadow over the Government's efforts" to set up the inquiry. Describing them as "a real, real disappointment from the Government", he said: "They've got to take action now and grip this." Mr Jenrick also suggested that the inquiry should be chaired by a senior judge with experience of family and criminal law, possibly from another country, rather than anyone with connections to the police or social services. Asked about the resignations on Monday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We’re grateful to everyone who shared their insights with us. “I’m sure you’ll understand our concerns about speculation. We’re still going through this process, that’s why we’re not going to give a running commentary on it. “But the abuse of children by grooming gangs, as we’ve said before, is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable.” He added: “We’re working flat out to get the right chair in place to take this forward and victims and survivors are absolutely at the heart of what we’re doing.”
