Labour has officially said no to a request for the Home Office to lead an investigation into historic child abuse in Oldham. This request came from Oldham Council, which also decided it would start its own independent investigation if the government refused to take action.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been vocal about her views on dealing with grooming gangs. She called the crimes of these gangs “horrendous” and stressed the need to deport foreign nationals found guilty of such acts.
Braverman shared that one of her most unforgettable experiences as Home Secretary was meeting survivors of grooming gangs in Rotherham and Rochdale. She described how the survivors, now in their 30s, told her about the terrible things they had gone through.
Many of them expressed how painful it was to know that their abusers were still living in the UK and not being punished properly. Braverman criticized the government, saying its failure to deport these criminals was adding to the victims’ suffering.
The refusal from Labour comes after a 2022 report from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This report found that police and local authorities in Oldham failed to protect children from sexual abuse. However, many survivors felt the report did not go far enough in uncovering the full truth or holding people accountable.
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips responded to Oldham Council’s request, saying she understands the strong feelings around this issue. However, she said that it is up to Oldham Council, not the government, to decide whether to investigate further. Phillips apologized for delays in responding to the council but encouraged them to lead efforts locally. She supported the council’s ongoing work with victims and survivors and said local authorities are best placed to take action.
Oldham Council, now under new leadership after losing its majority in recent elections, has taken steps to explore its options. They have reached out to Telford, another town that faced similar issues, to learn from their experiences and decide the best way forward. Many in the community hope this effort will finally bring justice and prevent such failures in the future.
