Chair of the grooming gangs inquiry announced
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Baroness Longfield to chair grooming gangs inquiry
- Anne Longfield, the former children’s commissioner, has been appointed to chair the national inquiry into grooming gangs after months of delays.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the appointment, stating that Baroness Longfield will lead a three-person panel with full legal powers to compel evidence.
- The inquiry, which follows a recommendation from Louise Casey's rapid audit, will conduct local investigations in areas with suspected failings, including Oldham.
- Ministers have committed £65m to the inquiry, which is expected to conclude within three years, with Baroness Longfield resigning the Labour whip for the role.
- Ms Mahmood emphasised the severity of the crimes and the need for a “moment of reckoning”, while Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticised the delays and called for an apology from the prime minister for previous comments.