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Politics LIVE: Nigel Farage erupts as Labour MPs reject new grooming gangs probe

Nigel Farage hit out at Labour for voting down a bid for another grooming gangs national inquiry.

The Tories put forward an amendment to the Government’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, demanding a fresh probe.

But MPs rejected the motion by 364 votes to 111, a majority of 253.

Mr Farage, the leader of Reform UK, said: “Labour have just voted against an inquiry. What do they have to hide?”

Follow below for the latest updates:

Labour responds to Tory amendment being voted down

A Labour spokesperson said: “The Conservatives attempted to block this government’s plans to keep the most vulnerable children in our country safe from harm after spending years failing to implement Professor Jay’s recommendations.

“Our measures protect children from harm, beef up inspections of illegal schools, and will mean that abusive parents can’t keep their children out of school. The Tories tried to block them. Clearly playing politics trumps safeguarding children on the Conservatives’ list of priorities.”

Tories blast Lib Dems for abstaining in grooming gangs vote

Shadow equalities minister Mims Davies said: “Today’s vote was an important moment for Parliament to send a signal that it wasn’t going to allow the horrific grooming gangs scandal to go on without a battle for justice and the disinfectant of a full inquiry.

“Yet tellingly the Liberal Democrats did nothing, they enabled Labour to block this leaving youngsters in our towns and villages still vulnerable.

“Every time the Liberal Democrats have the opportunity to stop Labour, they simply prefer to sit on their hands.”

How did your MP vote?

Check to see how your MP voted in the Commons showdown over a new grooming gangs public inquiry.

Bill clears first Commons hurdle

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has cleared its first hurdle after MPs gave it a second reading.

A Conservative amendment designed to block the Bill, and including a call for a national inquiry on grooming gangs, was rejected by by 364 votes to 111, majority 253.

The Bill later received a second reading without the need for a further formal vote.

Shouts of “no” could be heard when MPs were asked if the Bill should receive a second reading and a division was initially called but it was later cancelled.

The Bill will undergo further scrutiny at a later date.

Tories slam Labour

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: “It is disgusting that Keir Starmer has used his supermajority in Parliament to block a national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal.

“Labour MPs have put their Party ahead of getting to the truth and turned a blind eye to justice for the victims. Labour MPs will have to explain to the British people why they are against learning the truth behind the torture and rape of countless vulnerable girls.

“We will not let them forget this act of cowardice.”

MPs vote against grooming gangs probe

Labour MPs have blocked a bid for a fresh national inquiry into grooming gangs.

A Tory amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has been rejected in the Commons by 364 votes to 111, majority 253.

Labour minister urges MPs to back Bill

Schools minister Catherine McKinnell said the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is “the biggest piece of protection legislation in a generation”.

She told the Commons: “This Bill will deliver landmark reforms to safeguarding and children’s social care. It is the biggest piece of child protection legislation in a generation, and we are bringing it forward to prioritize children.”

She added: “The child sexual abuse scandal is sickening, and it’s vital that we learn lessons from past failures, including the issues uncovered by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, and turn that into action to protect children.”

Musk urges voters to tell their MP to vote for probe

Elon Musk urged people to contact their MPs and ask them to back a grooming gangs national inquiry.

The US tech billionaire wrote on X: “Please call your member of parliament and tell them that the hundreds of thousands of little girls in Britain who were, and still are, being systematically, horrifically gang-raped deserve some justice in this world.

“This is vitally important or it will just keep happening.”

Reform MP demands Pakistani visa and foreign aid pause

Reform MP Rupert Lowe urged the Government to pause all visas for Pakistani nationals and aid for the country.

He said the measures should be implemented until Pakistan agrees to take back citizens who committed child sexual abuse in the UK.

Mr Lowe told the Commons: “Will the government commit to pausing all Pakistani visas and foreign aid into the country until the Pakistani government agrees to accept any of its deported citizens that have perpetrated these crimes on British soil and also imprisons these rapists and their accomplices in Pakistan however they see fit?”

Farage says Reform will fund grooming gangs probe

Nigel Farage pledged Reform UK will fund an inquiry into child sexual abuse if the Government fails to do so.

The Reform UK leader said his party will raise the money and appoint “independent arbiters” to conduct the national probe.

As MPs debated the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the Clacton MP said: “If the Government won’t do this – and I do believe there is now overwhelming support on all sides of the political spectrum for this, and Parliament should not be in denial about this – if it doesn’t, then we will raise the money at Reform UK and appoint independent arbiters, because we need the truth to be out there.”

Labour accuses Tories of fundraising off the back of child grooming

The Labour Party has accused the Tories of using the child grooming row as a fundraising opportunity.

A spokesman accused Kemi Badenoch of having “stooped to a new low” after a fundraising email went out from Tory HQ asking for donations.

The spokesman blasts: “Kemi Badenoch has stooped to a new low, fundraising for the Conservative Party by playing politics with the safety of vulnerable children. This shows breathtaking disrespect to brave victims who are being used as a political football by the Conservatives.”

“The Tories failed to implement the Jay recommendations to protect vulnerable children. Any money raised by the Conservatives must be donated to victims of child sexual abuse: this attempt to fill their party bank account off the back of such a sensitive subject is a disgrace.

“This Labour government is taking action with landmark reforms to safeguarding and children’s social care. No more empty words or ‘lessons learned’, but real action to keep children safe.”

Elon Musk praises Kemi Badenoch’s PMQs performance

Elon Musk has tweeted praise of Kemi Badenoch’s performance at PMQs.

Sharing a video of Ms Badenoch accusing the PM of wanting to protect complicit Labour politicians, Mr Musk said: “Well said @KemiBadenoch”

Farage to back Tory amendment

Nigel Farage confirmed he will vote in favour of an amendment by Kemi Badenoch on a key piece of child protection legislation for a national inquiry on grooming gangs.

The Reform UK leader told the Commons: “I will vote with the amendment that has been put forward by the Leader of the Opposition although I do note that as women and equalities minister from 2022 to 2024 she didn’t meet a single victim of these rapes and never raised the issue once.

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“Insincere though it may be, I will vote for it, we will vote for it. But I beg those on the other side of the House to think: Don’t you believe that your constituents need to know the truth about this great evil that has happened in our country?”

ANALYSIS – Both Starmer and Badenoch’s reputations are on the line

Daily Express chief political commentator David Williamson argues that while the grooming gang issue is explosive for Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch also needs to watch her back.

In his analysis of today’s fiery political showdown, Williamson writes that the credibility of both Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch is on the line over the grooming gang scandal that has horrified the nation.

“This is dangerous territory for both party leaders. There is no more sensitive issue than the abuse and rape of women and girls.

“Mrs Badenoch must not look as if she is following the marching orders of Elon Musk. Sir Keir condemned “lies and misinformation and slinging of mud”.

Labour MP Stella Creasy accuses Farage of merely chasing headlines

Labour MP Stella Creasy has accused the Reform UK leader of being more interested in chasing headlines than protecting children.

The Walthamstow MP tweeted: “@Nigel_Farage shouts ‘denial’ in response to bitter reality child abuse happens in every community across the country and pledges to vote against a bill to help tackle it including grooming.”

“It’s not victims he gives a fig about, just where he thinks he can get headlines.”

Tory ex minister warns Labour’s Bill to create ‘gross, socialist uniformity’

Conservative former minister Graham Stuart has warned the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will “bring about kind-of a gross, socialist uniformity” in the education sector.

Intervening in Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s speech, the MP for Beverley and Holderness told the Commons: “We must all in this House recognise that we follow in the footsteps of giants. Tony Blair, Lord Adonis and others created the academy system which was built on under the last Conservative government and brought about a transformation of English education.

“Why does the Secretary of State want to dismantle the work of decades by members across this House and bring about kind-of a gross, socialist uniformity which will destroy the progress that has been made?”

Ms Phillipson replied: “That’s just simply a mischaracterisation and (Mr Stuart) knows it.”

She later described “my outrage at the excessive and exploitative profit-making we have seen from some private providers” of children’s social care.

The Education Secretary added: “It is shameful, it is unacceptable and it will end.”

Downing Street: Vote for this amendment is a vote to ‘kill the bill’

Downing Street has said that a vote for the Conservatives’ amendment on Wednesday would be a vote against legislation that would keep children safe.

Asked if there was any response to the Speaker selecting the amendment on Wednesday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “As the Prime Minister said in the House, a vote for this amendment is a vote to kill the bill.

“It would be a vote against legislation that would keep the very children safe.”

He added that the Government is “focused on delivering action for children, raising standards in schools, delivering on the cost of living for parents”.

But Kemi Badenoch is also under pressure

The Conservative leader is facing questions over why she failed to call for a national inquiry when the Tory Party was in office.

Read the full story here.

People will worry about a cover up if there is no inquiry, Keir Starmer warned

Voters will be concerned of a “cover up” if Keir Starmer fails to launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs, Kemi Badenoch has warned.

Mrs Badenoch said: “The Prime Minister called for nine inquiries in the last parliament. Does he not see that by resisting this one people will start to worry about a cover up?”

Sir Keir Starmer answered: “This is an important issue and we have to focus on the victims and survivors and it isn’t helpful, this sort of lies and misinformation and slinging of mud doesn’t help them one bit.”

Full story here

Tories release brutal attack ad against Labour

The Conservatives have published a brutal attack advert against Labour, parodying Labour’s own attack graphic against Rishi Sunak in 2023.

It reads: “Do you think there should be an inquiry into rape gangs? Keir Starmer doesn’t.”

“Not only are the Labour Party blocking an inquiry, but Keir Starmer thinks you are far-right if you want justice for the victims of rape gangs.

“Labour won’t stand up to dangerous child abusers.”

Starmer refuses to comment on corruption investigation into Tulip Siddiq

The Prime Minister has refused to comment on the scandal surrounding his anti-corruption minister being investigated for corruption.

Tulip Siddiq has asked the PM’s advisor to check whether she broke any rules when accepting free houses and properties from allies of her extremist aunty’s regime in Bangladesh.

Ed Davey blasts Elon Musk for trying to ‘buy a political party’

Ed Davey has demanded reforms to party funding to prevent foreign billionaires like Elon Musk interfering in British politics.

The LibDem leader quipped that Nigel Farage may now be missing out on his big donation from the X owner, following their falling out.

But said the issue of foreign donations to British politics are unfair interference.

He encouraged Keir Starmer to join him in pushing for funding reform.

Sir Keir said he is looking at the issue.

Lindsay Hoyle force to pause PMQs as Labour MPs lose it over Kemi Badenoch’s attacks

Speaker Lindsay Hoyle was forced to intervene and shut down PMQs after Labour MPs lost their rag following a brutal attack by Kemi Badenoch.

Ms Badenoch was on fire as she pointed out Keir Starmer is planning on demanding that MPs with grooming gangs in their own constituencies block an independent national inquiry into the scandal.

She blasted: “Let us have the truth! The PM cannot face the scale of the scandal. He doesn’t want questions asked of Labour politicians who may be complicit.”

“He won’t listen to the victims who are calling for a national inquiry.

“Later today he will tell labour MPs, including in Telford, Rochdale, Bristol, Derby, Aylesbury, Oldham, Bradford, Peterborough, Coventry, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Ramsgate – tell all of these people to vote against a national inquiry into the gangs which have systematically gang-raped children in their constituencies!”

Labour MPs were so furious with this the Speaker was forced to intervene and quite down the heckling and shouting.

‘It’s not about you! It’s about the victims!’ Kemi tears into Starmer

Kemi Badenoch has told Keir Starmer to be a ‘leader not a lawyer’ and focus on the victims of the grooming gangs instead of himself.

“We need to focus on what this is really about. This is not about the PM’s work in the CPS. I would say respectfully it’s not about you it’s about the victims.

“Be a leader not a lawyer!”

Badenoch says new inquiry must look at whether there was racial motivation behind cover up

Kemi Badenoch has insisted that any new inquiry must examine whether there was a racial or cultural motivation behind the child rape cover up.

The Tory leader argues that white girls were seen as ‘easy meat’. She asked whether the PM realises that sacking people for telling the truth is ‘chilling’ and means victims aren’t listened to.

Kemi Badenoch warns refusing inquiry will look like a ‘cover up’

Kemi Badenoch has described the scandal as ‘systemic’, explaining this is why we need another inquiry.

Ms Badenoch warned that refusing one will make Keir Starmer look complicit in a ‘cover up’.

“He talks about some of the local inquiries but these interlinked issues cannot be covered by local inquiries alone.

“The leaders of the manchester inquiry resigned because they couldn’t get evidence or summon witnesses.

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“The PM called for 9 inquiries in the last parliament. Does he not see that resisting calls for this one people will start to worry about a cover up?”

Kemi Badenoch insists Britain ‘does not know the full picture’

Kemi Badenoch says the previous inquiries have failed to ‘join the dots’, and leaves Britain still not knowing the ‘full picture’ about the rape gang scandal.

She demands to know why the PM is refusing a full inquiry that would question witnesses under oath.

Badenoch pays tribute to Starmer’s family loss

Kemi Badenoch began PMQs by offering condolences to Keir Starmer for the loss of his brother over Christmas.

The PM thanked her, and thanked her for reaching out to him personally at the time.

Keir Starmer demands Kemi Badenoch withdraws ‘wrecking’ amendment

Keir Starmer has blasted Kemi Badenoch for trying to ‘wreck’ his education bill with her amendment demanding an inquiry.

The PM insisted he can act without a further inquiry.

However Ms Badenoch pointed out the existing inquiries have fallen short, with the most prominent mentioning Rotherham only once.

She asked whether the PM is confident we know the full extent of the scandal without a further independent inquiry.

Nigel Farage asks why Kemi Badenoch didn’t do more in government

Nigel Farage has demanded to know why Kemi Badenoch didn’t do more on the grooming gang scandal while she was in government.

Ms Badenoch served as Minister for Women and Equalities from 2022 to 2024.

Mr Farage tweeted: “Kemi Badenoch was Minister for Women and Equalities from 2022 to 2024. Why did she not demand a full inquiry then?”

Badenoch: ‘It’s time to get justice for the victims of the rape gangs’

In a new video, Kemi Badenoch has said that it’s finally time to “get justice” for grooming gang victims.

The Tory leader is encouraging voters to sign a petition to put pressure on the Prime Minister.

She writes: “Help us send Keir Starmer a message he can’t ignore. Sign the petition at: http://demandaninquirynow.com”

Tory MP warns Labour MPs they are ‘brave’ for voting against abuse inquiry

A Conservative MP has sarcastically described Labour MPs as “brave” for planning on voting down an independent inquiry into Muslim grooming gangs.

Jack Rankin tweeted: “In 6 months, Keir has made his MPs vote: For 2 child benefit cap; Abolish winter fuel allowance; Jobs tax on GPs, social care & hospices.”

“Are they really going to follow him & vote down a National Inquiry on Rape Gangs?

“217 Labour MPs with majorities of

Elon Musk calls on Labour MPs to ‘do the right thing’

Elon Musk has demanded Labour MPs to ‘do the right thing’ and back opposition efforts for a child abuse inquiry.

Responding to Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe’s demand to hold one, Mr Musk said: “For all those poor little girls who were so terribly abused, many of whom died, they should do the right thing.”

Who’s asking questions?

A list of MPs guaranteed a question at today’s PMQs:

Neil Coyle (Labour)

Marie Goldman (LibDem)

Alex Baker (Labour)

Victoria Collins (LibDem)

Sojan Joseph (Labour)

Sam Rushworth (Labour)

Mark Sewards (Labour)

Carla Denyer (Green)

Andrew George (LibDem)

Christine Jardine (LibDem)

Dame Meg Hillier (Labour)

Gregory Stafford (Conservative)

Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour)

Josh Newbury (Labour)

What is the Tory plan to force a vote on grooming gangs?

The Conservatives are hoping to force a vote on holding an independent inquiry into child sexual grooming gangs this afternoon.

They’re hoping to amend Labour’s flagship educational reform bill, which they have called the “Children Wellbeing and Schools Bill”.

The amendment, which if selected will be debated as part of the Bill’s 2nd reading tomorrow, “calls upon the Government to develop new legislative proposals for children’s wellbeing including establishing a national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focused on grooming gangs.”

Reform UK have also submitted a similar amendment.

The Tory amendment in full reads: “That this House, while welcoming measures to improve child protection and safeguarding, declines to give a Second Reading to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill because it undermines the long-standing combination of school freedom and accountability that has led to educational standards rising in England, effectively abolishes academy freedoms which have been integral to that success and is regressive in approach, leading to worse outcomes for pupils; because it ends freedom over teacher pay, making it harder to attract and retain good teachers; because it ends freedom over Qualified Teacher Status, making teacher recruitment harder; because it removes school freedoms over the curriculum, leading to less innovation; because repealing the requirements for failing schools to become academies and for all new schools to be academies will undermine school improvement and remove the competition which has led to rising standards; because the Bill will make it harder for good schools to expand, reducing parental choice and access to a good education; and calls upon the Government to develop new legislative proposals for children’s wellbeing at the same time as establishing a national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focused on grooming gangs.”

What will Kemi Badenoch lead on?

Kemi Badenoch will almost certainly spend most of her questions on the row about grooming gangs, and specifically Labour’s refusal to hold an independent inquiry into Muslim rape groups.

The Tories are hoping to force a vote today on whether there should be one, with Labour MPs set to vote it down if the speaker selects the amendment.

Reform UK will almost certainly go in on the same row if they get a question.

Good morning and welcome back to another year of PMQs sessions.

Kemi Badenoch will return to challenging Sir Keir at 12pm, followed by 20 minutes of backbench questions.

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