National Grooming Gang Inquiry Faces Setback as Survivor Resigns Over Chair Shortlist
The UK’s national inquiry into grooming gangs has suffered a significant blow with the resignation of a prominent survivor from its overseeing panel, raising concerns about political interference and a potential conflict of interest in the selection of its chair.
A survivor advocate has stepped down from the victims survivor liaison panel, voicing deep reservations about the proposed leadership for the inquiry, which was established following years of campaigning from victims and advocacy groups.
Fiona Goddard, a survivor of abuse by an organized street gang in Bradford while living in a children’s home, resigned on Monday, citing concerns over the shortlist of two candidates to chair the inquiry. Goddard expressed apprehension that the candidates – former chief constable Jim Gamble and Annie Hudson, chair of the child safeguarding practice review panel – represent the very institutions she believes contributed to the systemic cover-up of child exploitation.
“The most concerning development of this inquiry has been the identities of the two prospective chairs,” Goddard wrote in an email announcing her resignation. “One has a background in policing and the other, a social worker. The very two services that contributed most to the cover-up of the national mass rape and trafficking of children. This is a disturbing conflict of interest, and I fear the lack of trust in services from years of failings and corruption will have a negative impact on survivor engagement with this inquiry.”
Both Gamble and Hudson have been contacted for comment.
The inquiry, formally launched four months ago after pressure on the prime minister, is still grappling with defining its terms of reference. According to sources, a key point of contention has been whether to include cases of child sexual exploitation and abuse beyond those perpetrated by street-based grooming gangs. Discussions have also centered on potentially broadening the inquiry’s scope to encompass other forms of sexual abuse and to examine abuse patterns across entire regions.
Goddard further questioned the political affiliations of some members of the panel, stating, “I have serious concerns around certain members of the panel… that presents a potential conflict of interest and incentives, pushing in opposition to the honest representations of survivors’ voices.” She warned that expanding the inquiry’s scope could dilute its focus, potentially repeating the shortcomings of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). “Expanding the scope of this inquiry risks it being watered down and once again, failing to get to the truth. We have repeatedly faced suggestions from officials to expand this inquiry, and there is real fear from survivors, including myself, that it will turn into another IICSA, with grooming gang victims forgotten,” she said.
Goddard, who waived her right to lifelong anonymity, was one of two girls abused in 2008 by a gang of men, many of Pakistani origin. In 2019, nine men were convicted of offenses including rape and inciting child prostitution following a six-week trial.
She also criticized the treatment of survivors by officials and ministers, describing the language used as “condescending and controlling.” “I’m further concerned by the condescending and controlling language used towards survivors throughout this process who have had to fight every day just to be believed, and I think they deserve more respect than they have received,” Goddard stated.
Gamble has a distinguished career in tackling child abuse, having previously headed the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre in 2006. Hudson was appointed chair of the child safeguarding practice review panel in December 2020, having previously served as director of children’s services for both the London Borough of Lambeth and Bristol city council. It is understood that several senior legal figures have declined invitations to chair the inquiry.
A source familiar with the matter noted that grooming gangs remain a “toxic issue” due to the need to address the disproportionate involvement of men of Pakistani origin in many abuse rings.
Responding to the concerns, a Home Office spokesperson stated, “The abuse of children by grooming gangs is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable. Any suggestion that this inquiry is being watered down is completely wrong – we are committed to delivering a robust, thorough inquiry that will get to the truth and provide the answers that survivors have so long campaigned for. We are working urgently to appoint the best chair to take forward this work and deliver justice, putting victims and survivors at the heart of the process. We are grateful to all those who have shared their insights with us. We share the concerns around unhelpful speculation while this process is live – which is why we will not be providing a running commentary.”
