Weston MP; Dan Aldridge, Welcomes Grooming Gang National Inquiry

Weston’s Labour MP; Dan Aldridge has issued a statement today, welcoming the governments announcement of a National Grooming Gang Inquiry.

The inquiry was announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer this afternoon (Saturday 14 June) after receiving the recommendations of an independent report on the scandal.

Primer Minister Keir Starmer said; “I have read every single word of her report and I am going to accept her recommendation. That is the right thing to do on the basis of what she has put in her audit and I shall now implement her recommendations.”

In response to the announcement, Dan Aldridge MP issued the following statement to Weston Independent News;

“I've always wanted government, society and communities to take serious, evidence based, resourced and accountable action on grooming and grooming gangs.

As a survivor of grooming myself, this is a particularly personal issue, one I have been navigating silently until now. No one should have to experience this.

Sunlight is the best disinfectant and it's time to settle this issue.

Like many others, I’ve been deeply frustrated by government inaction on this issue for years. Firstly, by the dereliction of duty by the previous government to follow up on any of the recommendations from the The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), led by Prof. Alexis Jay; they sat on their hands and quite frankly, words, not deeds were the order of the day and victims and survivors could go to hell.

Secondly, I've been frustrated with current government leadership and poor communication around how to handle the issue. My frustration expressed over whatsapp was unfortunately leaked in the Times in April. I, like so many others, not least Sarah Champion MP, and others within Government, have been pushing for change.

But process and independence matters and I'm glad that the Prime Minister has followed the independent recommendation from Dame Louise Casey’s for a statutory national inquiry into grooming gangs.

Political point scoring on this by the Tories and Reform has been sickening, people who have never put any effort into the fight for justice for victims and survivors all of a sudden, became 'saviour and campaigner in chief', pontificating to anyone unfortunate enough to have to listen to their bleating, ill-informed insincerity.

Those of us who have campaigned and worked for years on the issue of tackling sexual violence and abuse see you and your craven opportunism and we will not forgive you, and neither will the vast majority of Britons who see right through you.

As you will have seen, the Prime Minister has now accepted Dame Louise Casey’s recommendation for a statutory national inquiry into grooming gangs. This is a vital step forward. The inquiry will build on the work already initiated by the Home Secretary and will coordinate a series of targeted local investigations with full statutory powers.

This has taken far too long, but it is right that we now move forward with honesty and determination. I welcome this moment and will continue to support efforts that put victims at the centre and ensure accountability at every level.

If you are affected by any of the issues, please get in touch and we can direct you to the right services and support.”