Labour's inquiry into grooming gangs is reportedly "collapsing into chaos" following a series of significant setbacks, including the withdrawal of a lead candidate and the resignation of three sex abuse victims from its advisory group. This unfolding crisis has proven highly embarrassing for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was compelled to establish the review earlier this year, despite having previously criticized calls for such an inquiry as "jumping on a far-Right bandwagon."

Senior social worker Annie Hudson, who had been shortlisted to chair the three-year inquiry, a process expected to cost taxpayers tens of millions of pounds, unexpectedly withdrew her name. Her withdrawal came amidst a contentious period, closely following the resignations of prominent abuse victims Fiona Goddard and Ellie-Ann Reynolds from the inquiry's victims and survivors liaison panel.

Goddard and Reynolds, along with a third woman identified only as 'Elizabeth' due to anonymity rules, expressed severe criticism, labeling the process a "cover-up" and condemning its "toxic environment." Elizabeth stated in her resignation letter that the process felt like a "cover-up" and had "created a toxic environment" for survivors. Ellie-Ann Reynolds cited a "toxic, fearful environment" and "condescending and controlling language" used towards survivors as reasons for her departure. She also highlighted the "push to change the remit, to widen it in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse" as a final turning point.

Further exacerbating the situation, Ms. Goddard accused safeguarding minister Jess Phillips of misleading Members of Parliament regarding proposals to broaden the inquiry's scope. Ms. Phillips, who oversees the inquiry's establishment, had informed the Commons' home affairs select committee that it was "untrue" that ministers sought to widen its remit. However, it later emerged that the victims' group received consultation papers posing the question: "Should the inquiry have an explicit focus on 'grooming gangs'... or take a broader approach?" Text messages between Ms. Goddard and Ms. Phillips, obtained by Open Justice UK, appeared to contradict the minister's statement to the committee.

Many victims fear that broadening the inquiry's scope would dilute its crucial focus on the systemic failures of local authorities, police, and other officials to address grooming perpetuated predominantly by Pakistani gangs. In response to these developments, Ms. Goddard called for Ms. Phillips's resignation or dismissal, stating, "Jess Phillips needs to be removed because I don't think her conduct... this last 24 hours especially, has been acceptable for the position that she holds. She has publicly accused me of lying when she knows I'm telling the truth."

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp commented on the situation, declaring, "Labour's rape gang inquiry is collapsing into chaos. Survivor Fiona Goddard has directly contradicted what minister Jess Phillips told Parliament – and I have to say I believe Fiona." He further criticized the Labour Government, asserting they "never wanted this inquiry to happen in the first place," and reiterated Starmer's controversial past remarks regarding those calling for an inquiry.

Despite the turmoil, Ms. Phillips expressed her "absolute regrets" regarding the survivors' resignations but maintained that "Allegations of intentional delay, lack of interest or widening of the inquiry scope and dilution are false." Downing Street echoed this sentiment, denying that the inquiry was in crisis and assuring reporters that "survivors are absolutely at the heart of what we're doing" to "finally get justice." The Prime Minister's spokesman noted that the terms of the inquiry would be established once a chair is appointed, without confirming if any victims remained on the advisory group. Several candidates, including former senior police officer Jim Gamble, are reportedly still in contention to chair the inquiry.