UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Baroness Anne Longfield, former Children’s Commissioner, has been appointed to lead the UK’s national inquiry into grooming gangs child sexual abuse, following months of delays and resignations. The three-year, £65 million probe for England and Wales will include local investigations like Oldham, examine offender backgrounds including ethnicity, and meet survivors this week, as announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Appointment of Baroness Anne Longfield
Baroness Anne Longfield, who served as Children’s Commissioner from 2015 to 2021, takes the helm after Baroness Louise Casey recommended her following survivor consultations. As reported by BBC News, Mahmood stated that Longfield and panel colleagues were chosen post-discussions with victims. Longfield founded the Centre for Young Lives think tank last year and became a Labour peer earlier in 2025 for her children’s rights work, but will step away from party affiliation during the inquiry.
In her statement, Baroness Longfield said:
“The Inquiry owes it to the victims, survivors, the wider community to uncover the truth, rectify past mistakes, and ensure that today’s children and young people are safeguarded in ways that others were not.”
She vowed:
“The Inquiry will follow evidence and not shy from difficult or uncomfortable truths wherever we find them.” Nation.Cymru coverage quotes her commitment to evidence-based probing.
Yahoo UK News reports Mahmood praising Longfield’s lifelong advocacy for children during the Commons announcement. The Independent notes the appointment resolves months of delays since Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s June initiation.
Inquiry Panel and Structure
Joining Baroness Longfield are Dan Billingham, former HM Inspector of Constabulary, and Kelly C, ex-chief executive of Southwark Council. The panel meets survivors this week, per BBC reporting. The structure features national oversight of local investigations into grooming gang exploitation of girls.
Mahmood outlined in the Commons that the probe will “specifically” examine offenders’ backgrounds, including ethnicity and religion. Draft terms allocate £65 million over three years, with no hiding places for any area.
Announcement by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood used stark language in Parliament: “a pivotal moment of accountability” to “eradicate this menace permanently.” GOV.UK transcripts confirm her update on the inquiry chaired by Longfield, noting her Children’s Commissioner tenure. Al Jazeera context links it to Casey’s audit on institutional failures protecting children from exploitation.
The Independent attributes the June launch to Starmer, derailed by panel resignations.
Background and Delays
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the inquiry in June 2025, accepting Baroness Louise Casey’s rapid audit on grooming gangs’ scale nationwide. Casey’s GOV.UK audit highlighted group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Setbacks struck in October: four women resigned from the survivors’ liaison panel, demanding Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips’ resignation over alleged “betrayal” and scope expansion fears beyond grooming gangs. They criticised chair candidates’ social work and policing backgrounds amid trust issues. Two frontrunners withdrew, including Jim Gamble who cited “political opportunism” and “toxic environment,” per ITV News. Five women resigned per Yahoo UK.
Sky News timeline notes Starmer’s CPS role (2008-2013) during grooming investigations, with Elon Musk accusing him of complicity in failures. Musk stated:
“Who is the boss of Jess Phillips right now? Keir Starmer. The real reason she’s refusing to investigate the rape gangs is that it would obviously lead to the blaming of Keir Starmer (head of the CPS at the time).” He added on media: “
This is the same media that hid the fact that a quarter million little girls were – still are – being systematically raped by migrant gangs in Britain. They are beneath contempt. Despicable human beings.”
Baroness Louise Casey’s Role
Baroness Casey’s June audit prompted the inquiry, per BBC and Nation.Cymru. Her rapid review assessed grooming gangs’ prevalence, recommending national action. GOV.UK speeches detail her findings on institutional shortcomings. Casey consulted survivors on panel choices.
Scope and Timeline
The inquiry covers England and Wales, focusing on grooming gangs’ child sexual abuse via local probes like Oldham in Greater Manchester. It examines past failings, offender profiles, and safeguards, budgeted at £65 million for three years. Yahoo Canada echoes the derailed start with panel exits.
No expansions beyond grooming gangs, addressing resignees’ concerns.
Reactions and Political Context
Baroness Longfield welcomes the role as a truth-seeking mission for victims. Mahmood stresses comprehensive accountability. Pressure mounted post-Musk’s January criticisms of Starmer and Phillips.
ITV notes Gamble’s withdrawal over trust deficits. The probe revives grooming scandals, with Sky’s timeline covering inquiries and Starmer’s DPP involvement.
Implications for Victims and Safeguarding
Longfield prioritises victims, promising rectification and future protections. Panel-survivor meetings this week signal engagement. The inquiry aims to prevent recurrence, per Mahmood.
Casey’s audit exposed systemic gaps, now addressed nationally.