One of the survivors called Starmer’s letter to them a ‘s****y generated letter sent out to everyone’.
Grooming gang victims haved slam Starmer for ‘making a mockery’ of survivors (Image: Getty)
Grooming gang victims have hit out at a joint letter sent to them by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, accusing him of “making a mockery” of survivors as the inquiry faces further turmoil. The four women who quit the inquiry – Fiona Goddard, Ellie-Ann Reynolds, Elizabeth Harper and “Jessica” did so amid concerns the Government was trying to widen the scope of the probe.
Many victims believe that by widening the scope beyond grooming gangs into broader issues of child sexual abuse and exploitation, it will dilute its focus on the failure of local authorities, police and other officials to tackle grooming by largely Pakistani gangs. The women have already demanded that Jess Phillips, the Safeguarding minister, quit in a list of conditions for them to re-join the grooming gangs inquiry. The abuse survivors accused Phillips of “betrayal” over a letter where she described reports that the scope of the inquiry could be expanded as “untrue”.
Along with Phillips’ exit, the women also called for their victim liaison officer to go to show the Government was “serious about accountability.” They also continued to call for a judge to chair the inquiry.
The group has now received a personal letter from Starmer thanking them for their participation and assuring them their concerns will be listened to.
He stressed: “We know that in some areas these crimes were disproportionately committed by Asian men, and I assure you that the inquiry will look explicitly at that.”
However, two of the four women addressed have denounced his letter, taking to X to share the document which they called is “a s****y generated letter” with “half-hearted words”.
Ms Goddard wrote: “So the prime minister was meant to be reaching out “personally” and instead we got a s****y generated letter sent out to everyone, addressing not a single concern or issue.
“One that he’s probably not even wrote. Clearly us grooming gang victims aren’t important enough for him to put a bit of time and effort in.’
Meanwhile, Ms Harper wrote: “Letter off Keir Starmer, no sign of doing the right thing – just the same old same old.
“Making a mockery of survivors and saying things he always does. Action is needed, not half-hearted words.”
Ms Goddard called the document a ‘s****y generated letter sent out to everyone’ (Image: Lucy North/ PA Wire)
The PM wrote in his letter on Friday that he wanted to get in touch “directly” to thank them for their support in setting up the national inquiry.
He also wished to make a “personal commitment’ to ‘getting this inquiry right”.
“The heinous crimes committed against you – and many others – by violent and depraved gangs were truly appalling,” the PM said.
“You were also let down catastrophically by the institutions that should have protected you, and they must be held accountable.
“We are determined that survivors must be at the heart of this inquiry, and we do not underestimate the bravery you have shown by reliving those ordeals.”
Sir Keir concluded: “I understand your decision to leave the panel will not have been taken lightly but the door will always be open should you wish to return.”
