Last candidate to chair UK grooming gangs inquiry withdraws over ‘lack of trust’

Jim Gamble, the final candidate to chair the UK's grooming gangs inquiry, has withdrawn his application, citing "political opportunism" and a "lack of trust" from survivors. Gamble, a former deputy chief constable, described the appointment process as "toxic" and influenced by "vested interests." This withdrawal adds to the turmoil surrounding the inquiry, which has already seen other potential candidates and survivors resign from its panel. Survivors have accused the government of attempting to manipulate the inquiry's scope and sideline their input. Specifically, they believe there's an effort to broaden the investigation beyond grooming gangs to include other forms of sexual abuse, potentially to deflect attention from Labour-led councils and avoid scrutiny of the perpetrators' ethnicity. Survivors like Fiona Goddard are calling for a judge-led inquiry and a face-to-face meeting with the prime minister to convey the impact of abuse. In response to the ongoing issues, Keir Starmer announced that Louise Casey, a civil service troubleshooter, will serve as an adviser to the inquiry. Starmer also stated that the inquiry's scope will not be diluted and will address cultural or religious issues. While Starmer expressed his hope that resigned panel members would return, the survivors indic... download the app to read more