Starmer Escalates Pressure on London Mayor Over Grooming Gang Investigations
A national inquiry into grooming gangs is gaining momentum, with increased scrutiny falling on London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s handling of potential cases within the capital.
The push for a comprehensive review comes after a probe by the Daily Express prompted the Metropolitan Police to initiate a review of 9,000 potential cases in London. This development has intensified calls for transparency and accountability, particularly given the Mayor’s previous statements suggesting there was “no indication” of grooming gangs operating in the city comparable to those seen in Rochdale or Rotherham.
Speaking while traveling to the G20 summit in South Africa, Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation. “I think the national inquiry can cover this and the approach we’ve taken is no stone unturned,” he stated. “Whether it’s in London or elsewhere I’ve always said where there’s evidence that could be investigated by the police, whether that’s looking at old cases or new cases, that should be the first priority because my strong view is in these cases that if there’s evidence to put people before criminal courts that is the first step that should be taken.”
The Mayor previously told the London Assembly in June that while London experiences “issues in relation to child sexual exploitation” and “child sexual abuse,” these cases differed from those in other regions of the country. However, the Metropolitan Police’s decision last month to review 9,000 cases signals a potential shift in understanding the scope of the problem.
The review will focus on cases suitable for Operation Beaconport, a specialized unit examining offenses involving multiple suspects, more than one victim, contact crimes, and cases where suspects are still alive and haven’t been previously reviewed. Operation Beaconport is currently reviewing cases spanning from January 1, 2010, to March 31, 2025, anticipating scrutiny of thousands of files.
The response from political opponents has been swift and critical. Susan Hall, a Tory member of the London Assembly, accused the Mayor of downplaying the severity of the issue for nearly a year. “It has been 11 months since Sadiq Khan sat there trying to play games with one of the most heinous crimes committed in this country in the last few decades, and only now does he start to treat it as seriously as it is,” Hall asserted. “The public should judge Sadiq Khan’s history on this story…and ask themselves why a Mayor who spent months telling us these gangs don’t exist has suddenly had a change of heart.”
Hall further characterized the Mayor’s actions as “a disgrace” and “paying lip service to the survivors and victims.” In January, she pressed Mr. Khan for a clear definition of “grooming gangs” during a City Hall exchange, but he reportedly evaded a direct answer.
Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement of a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs in June came after pressure from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK’s Nigel Farage. However, the inquiry has faced early setbacks, including the resignation of several members of the victims panel over concerns about the government’s handling of the process, prompting calls for the resignation of safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. Despite this, a group of five women voiced their continued support for Ms. Phillips, contingent on her remaining in her position. The search for a new chair of the inquiry is expected to take months following the withdrawal of two leading candidates.
Victims have also voiced their frustration. Ellie Reynolds, a survivor, expressed a belief that the investigation is becoming “less about the truth and more about a cover-up” and called for the Mayor’s resignation, stating, “Sadiq Khan’s a liar as well and I think that he should be stepping down.” She described his previous attempts to downplay the issue as “bizarre.”
Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley acknowledged the challenge of balancing current investigations with the historical review required by the national inquiry. He anticipates that reinvestigating historical cases – potentially numbering between two and three thousand – will take several years and require the dedication of 60 to 80 specialist officers. “We are determined that, with others, the Met will safeguard victims wherever possible and bring those responsible to justice,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London defended his record, stating that any exploitation of children is “utterly abhorrent” and that the Mayor “wants justice for every single victim of these horrific crimes.” The spokesperson highlighted the Mayor’s support for the national inquiry and his commitment to strengthening child protection measures in London, including a recent £2.4 million investment in specialist services and reforms to the Metropolitan Police’s child protection arrangements. The Mayor’s office maintains that the Metropolitan Police must “follow the evidence wherever it leads” and that he will continue to hold the force accountable.
