• Mayor Sadiq Khan faced criticism for his reluctance to address questions about grooming gangs in London, accused of evading direct answers by asking for clarification on the term.
• Khan conceded young people in London were exploited but refused to directly acknowledge the issue of grooming gangs, prompting accusations of prioritizing political caution over public safety.
• Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a £10 million initiative for local reviews into grooming gangs, but this was met with skepticism from critics and survivors, who argued it was inadequate and lacked transparency.
• Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and survivors, like Elizabeth from the Rotherham grooming gangs, criticized the initiative as insufficient, demanding a more comprehensive national inquiry.
• The controversy highlights the mounting pressure on Khan to address critical issues like knife crime and public safety, with critics accusing him of failing to confront the grooming gangs issue head-on.

In a tense exchange at the London Assembly, Mayor Sadiq Khan faced sharp criticism for his apparent reluctance to address questions about grooming gangs operating in the capital. The heated debate, which unfolded earlier today, saw Khan repeatedly ask for clarification on the term “grooming gangs,” prompting accusations of evasion and a lack of accountability.

The confrontation began when Susan Hall, former leader of the London Conservatives, pressed Khan on whether he was aware of grooming gangs in London. Hall referenced the notorious abuse scandals in towns like Rotherham and Bradford, where predominantly Pakistani-heritage men were convicted of sexually exploiting vulnerable young girls. However, Khan’s response was met with disbelief. “Can she define what she means by that?” he asked, prompting Hall to elaborate.

“The sort of gangs that groom young girls at a young age for sex. How much clearer do you want me to be?” Hall retorted, visibly frustrated by Khan’s repeated requests for clarification. The Mayor conceded that young people in London were exploited but insisted that the exploitation was “not as defined” by Hall. His refusal to directly acknowledge the issue drew swift condemnation from critics, who accused him of prioritizing political caution over public safety.

The exchange occurred just hours before Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a £10 million ($12.2 million) initiative to fund five local reviews into grooming gangs. The reviews, led by Tom Crowther KC, will focus on Oldham Council and four other pilot areas. However, the announcement was met with skepticism from both opposition politicians and survivors of grooming gangs, who argue that the measures fall short of addressing the scale of the problem.

Survivors and politicians demand action as government announces limited inquiry

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the initiative as “totally inadequate,” emphasizing the need for a comprehensive national inquiry. “It will only cover a fraction of the towns affected, and the inquiries appear they will not have the powers they need,” he said. Philp’s comments echoed the concerns of survivors, who fear that the reviews will fail to deliver justice or transparency.

Elizabeth, a survivor of the Rotherham grooming gangs, described the initiative as “a whitewash” in an interview with GB News. “There is nothing transparent. I’m back to the fight again. It’s not enough at all,” she said. “I’m sure we’re just hearing the same old stuff. They are taking part in covering the cover-up once again.”

Hall, who has been vocal in her criticism of Khan’s handling of the issue, accused the Mayor of shirking his responsibilities. “Everyone across this country knows what the grooming gangs are, and I don’t believe Khan for one minute when he says it’s unclear,” she told GB News. “Young girls were hopelessly abused, and may yet still be suffering abuse if these gangs continue to operate. This isn’t about politics—we need answers, and we need them now.”

The controversy comes amid growing scrutiny of Khan’s leadership, with critics accusing him of failing to address critical issues such as knife crime and public safety. GB News has reported evidence of grooming gangs operating in over 50 towns across Britain, many of which involve perpetrators of Pakistani heritage. The revelations have reignited debates about cultural sensitivities and the need for accountability in addressing systemic failures.

As pressure mounts on Khan to provide clarity and take decisive action, the question remains: will the Mayor confront the issue head-on, or will his evasive responses further erode public trust? For survivors like Elizabeth, the stakes could not be higher. “I’m back to the fight again,” she said, a stark reminder of the human cost of inaction.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

X.com

GBNews.com