A Tory try and criticise Labour over baby safety has backfired after it emerged they did precisely the identical factor they’ve attacked the federal government for.
The Conservatives hit out after it emerged that safeguarding minister Jess Phillips had rejected Oldham Council’s request for a authorities inquiry into baby sexual exploitation within the city.
Phillips stated it was as much as the native authority, not central authorities, to instigate the probe.
Shadow residence secretary Chris Philp, and Phillips’ Tory shadow Alicia Kearns, wrote to her and residential secretary Yvette Cooper condemning the choice.
They stated: “You had for a few years been clear on the necessity to crack down on these rape gangs. Your resolution has due to this fact shocked and distressed many survivors in addition to outraged the general public.
“While the council can maintain its personal inquiry, absolutely if the council recognises the gravity and scale of the crimes dedicated and is requesting the assist of presidency to make sure no extra younger women are failed, it’s proper for presidency
to assist their request.
“That is notably the case when survivors have stated they haven’t any belief within the council. We ask you to rethink your resolution in Oldham and clarify why it took over three months so that you can reply to their letter given the seriousness
of their request.”
But it surely has now emerged that in 2022, when the Tories had been nonetheless in energy, the then safeguarding minister Amanda Solloway additionally rejected Oldham Council’s request.
She stated: “In relation to your request that the federal government institute a public inquiry, the federal government continues to be clear that it’s for the native authorities in particular person cities and cities, that are accountable for delivering native providers, to fee native inquiries.
“It’s important that native areas be taught from what occurred prior to now, and to take acceptable motion to drive enchancment in native providers.”
Tory chief Kemi Badenoch referred to as on the federal government to launch “a full nationwide inquiry” into baby exploitation in a lot of cities and cities in northern England.
“Trials have taken place all around the nation in recent times however nobody in authority has joined the dots,” she stated in a put up on X. “2025 should be the yr that the victims begin to get justice.”
A Labour spokesperson stated the federal government was working “at tempo” to implement the suggestions of Professor Alexis Jay’s inquiry into baby sexual exploitation, which reported in 2022.
“This authorities is working urgently to strengthen the regulation in order that these crimes are correctly reported and investigated,” the spokesperson stated.