Grooming Gang Inquiry Faces Delays Amid Dispute Over Jess

Published: 24 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The long-awaited national inquiry into grooming gangs in the UK faces fresh delays, with sources suggesting it may not commence until next year. The postponement follows a series of high-profile withdrawals and internal disputes over the role of safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, throwing the investigation into uncertainty.

Government insiders speaking to The Times report that the departure of both leading candidates to chair the inquiry has complicated the search for suitable leadership. Former police officer Jim Gamble and Annie Hudson, a former director of children’s services in Lambeth, pulled out this week amid concerns over political interference and questions over their suitability. Officials have indicated that it could take several months to identify a new chair who can command the confidence of survivors and stakeholders. “With the loss of the leading candidate for the chair of the grooming gangs inquiry, the government is taking urgent steps to ensure a new candidate is found,” a source explained.

The inquiry, which has been eagerly anticipated by victims, advocacy groups, and law enforcement alike, is facing an unusual dilemma: a rift within the victims’ liaison panel. Four women who recently resigned have stated they would consider returning only if Phillips were to step down. Conversely, five members of the panel have explicitly indicated they would stay on only if she remained in her position, citing the minister’s consistency and impartiality as critical for maintaining trust.

The panel members who support Phillips emphasized her commitment to victims in a letter to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. They stated that the minister’s “retaining her role is one of the conditions for our continued participation,” highlighting the importance of continuity and steady leadership for the inquiry’s success. They praised her for having “remained impartial” and argued that her presence ensures consistency throughout the investigation.

On the other side, the four women who quit—Ellie-Ann Reynolds, Fiona Goddard, Elizabeth Harper, and another identified only as “Jessica”—outlined conditions for their return. These include Phillips stepping aside, the inquiry maintaining a narrow and focused mandate strictly on grooming gangs, and its chair being a current or former judge to guarantee impartiality and judicial oversight.

Earlier this week, Jim Gamble withdrew his candidacy for the chair, citing what he described as “political opportunism” and “point-scoring” surrounding the inquiry. Gamble also acknowledged that his background in policing made it difficult for some survivors to place full confidence in him. Annie Hudson reportedly stepped down the day before, adding to the growing uncertainty over the inquiry’s timeline.

In the meantime, the government is reportedly considering a range of options to stabilize the situation and maintain progress on the investigation. Ministers are re-engaging with victims to understand their concerns, priorities, and the type of leadership they expect. Sir Keir Starmer has been personally reaching out to survivors in an effort to reassure them that their voices will remain central to the inquiry. Baroness Louise Casey, who has been drafted to support the inquiry, is playing a key role in identifying a new pool of potential chairs.

Despite the turmoil, Phillips herself has defended her record. Speaking to MPs earlier this week, she dismissed allegations of intentional delays or attempts to widen the scope of the inquiry unnecessarily. “Allegations of intentional delay, lack of interest, or widening of the inquiry scope and dilution are false,” she said. Downing Street also supported her position, with a spokesperson stating that Phillips “has spent her career fighting for victims and survivors and trying to protect them from abuse. Since being in post as minister for safeguarding, she has worked incredibly closely with victims and survivors and is determined to get them justice.”

Meanwhile, a new report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) underscores the ongoing challenges facing policing in relation to grooming gangs. While progress has been made, the watchdog warned that “significant challenges” remain in tackling child sexual exploitation. The report highlighted concerns over inconsistent data collection and coordination across forces, which risk undermining national efforts to investigate and prevent group-based child sexual exploitation.

The delay in the inquiry’s launch has drawn criticism from advocacy groups and victims, who argue that every month of postponement prolongs the trauma for survivors awaiting accountability. Experts note that the credibility of the investigation hinges on both the choice of chair and the degree to which victims feel included and respected throughout the process. The conflicting positions on Phillips’ role exemplify the delicate balance between political oversight and survivor-centered leadership.

The inquiry is expected to examine systemic failures in preventing grooming and exploitation, with a focus on law enforcement responses, social services intervention, and the broader societal factors that enable such abuse. The eventual appointment of a chair with the confidence of all stakeholders will be essential in ensuring the inquiry is viewed as legitimate and capable of delivering meaningful recommendations.

Sources suggest that the government is prepared to take the necessary time to appoint the right individual, rather than rush the process. The delay may extend into 2026, but officials hope that a careful selection process will result in a chair who can navigate the complex political and social sensitivities surrounding the investigation.

As the search for a new chair continues, the tension between different factions within the victims’ panel remains unresolved. The stakes are high: the inquiry’s findings could influence future legislation, policing practices, and safeguarding policies nationwide. Analysts caution that missteps in leadership selection or perceived political interference could jeopardize public trust and limit the inquiry’s effectiveness.

The situation illustrates the broader challenges facing UK authorities in addressing grooming gang networks, which have historically been difficult to dismantle due to the clandestine nature of abuse and failures in systemic oversight. Ensuring survivor trust, clear leadership, and a focused investigative mandate will be critical in restoring confidence in the process.

While the government works to fill the leadership vacuum, the public and advocacy groups will be closely monitoring developments. The outcomes of the inquiry—whenever it begins—are expected to set a benchmark for how future investigations into child sexual exploitation are conducted and may have lasting implications for safeguarding policy in the UK