Pressure for a full inquiry into child sexual exploitation across Keighley and Bradford continues to build this week after the Prime Minister that the government will launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs.
The Casey Review, which the Prime Minister has now accepted in full, calls for “a national inquiry co-ordinating a series of targeted local investigations” (p.151), leading to questions about which local areas may be selected.
Asked by Robbie Moore whether Bradford should expect to be one of the local investigations under this new national inquiry, Baroness Casey told the Home Affairs Select Committe on Tuesday leaders across the country should be "ready and open":
“ I would be surprised if some of the areas that I mentioned, probably including Bradford, would not be subject of being part of a national inquiry..."
Baroness Casey was also sharply critical of Council claims they have already investigated the issue through serious case reviews after Mr Moore raised concerns that Bradford was using past reports, including the experiences of local victim Fiona Goddard, to avoid deeper scrutiny. In response, Baroness Casey said:
“You’re absolutely right. There are areas that have said ‘we’ve done serious case reviews’ therefore we don’t need to do anything. That is not the case when you look at the serious case reviews. It does not answer the question…you can’t use them as a reason not to do an investigation when you’re looking at these issues and I would say that to Bradford and anywhere else in the country”
West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe, also faced tough questions from Moore over her previous opposition to a local inquiry into Bradford. Justifying her initial view, Lowe told the committee:
“My narrative was that there had been numerous reviews - 74, or less - you decide - and that the work we were doing in West Yorkshire collectively and the voices that I had heard, the voices of survivors and victims, was that I didn’t want a review anywhere in West Yorkshire - and Bradford is obviously in West Yorkshire.
But pressed again during the session, Lowe suggested she had now changed her position following the Casey Review:
“However, having seen the Casey review…I welcome that review, I welcome the findings of that review and the recommendations that have been made.”
The Keighley and Ilkley MP challenged her reversal, saying:
“It’s frustrating that it has taken a national embarrassment to get you and the Mayor of West Yorkshire to change your position on this.”
Later in the session, Liberal Democrat MP Paul Kohler asked Lowe what had changed, asking “What does Baroness Casey know that you don’t. Why has her view made you change your mind? You all said it shouldn’t be didn’t you”
Lowe responded: “If [Baroness Casey] says she wants to come to Bradford, I’m saying the door is open.”
The Deputy’s comments represent a significant change in tone from local leaders in Bradford, who have long opposed an inquiry in Bradford, ruling one out as recently as last week, before the Casey report was published
Later in the Day Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips also praised the work of Mr Moore and lawyer David Greenwood after a meeting in the Home Office in May, saying:
“Your pleas, and certainly the pleas of Fiona Goddard, who I have met, are very convincing…
She confirmed the decision would ultimately made by an independent chair.
ENDS
