Oldham Councillor Brian Hobin has vowed to press ahead with a local inquiry into grooming gangs, saying he will “keep pushing for justice” despite apparent government hesitation on similar promised investigations elsewhere.
His comments come amid concerns Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, suggested that the government may water down the five inquiries into grooming gangs promised by the Home Secretary.
Speaking to GB News, Oldham Councillor Brian Hobin said: “I was disappointed yesterday. I was just leaving to go to a meeting when I saw the banner on GB News that Jess Phillips had made a statement, and I was quite shocked and surprised, really.
“But my first thought was for the survivors to be getting news like this. Obviously, we’ve been thinking of them all the time, and then for them to get this after what they’ve been through and where we’ve got to.
Brian Hobin said that Oldham will “keep pursuing justice”
GB NEWS
“Then this bombshell dropped yesterday afternoon, which I think was very upsetting for the survivors and for those who have been working with them.
“But I must say regardless of what she said, here in Oldham it has had no impact on what we’re going to do. We’re still ploughing ahead with our inquiry.
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“We’re still having talks with Tom, the KC that we intend to appoint. And we have the full confidence of the leader of the council and the chief executive, who are working hard now to make sure that ours continues, even if there are some issues with the other four that were promised.”
He added: “Hopefully, Oldham will be the torchbearer of these inquiries moving forward, and I still believe that.
“We will do our utmost now to make sure that we go as deep as possible. Like I’ve said before, the scope has got to be as big as it can be.
“We’ll get to the heart of this issue and really, justice for the survivors has to be there for us. We’re still pushing for the survivors.
“That’s what we need to be looking for. They want justice and they want answers, and that’s what we will continue to pursue, no matter what the government throws at us.
“Whether they like it or not, Oldham will continue in that vein, and I hope other areas facing these issues keep fighting.”
The inquiries were meant to address findings from Professor Alexis Jay’s investigation into child sexual abuse.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse led by Professor Jay found institutional failings and tens of thousands of victims across England and Wales.
Yvette Cooper announced local inquiries earlier this year
Commons
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has firmly rejected suggestions that the Government is watering down its response to grooming gangs.
“No, it’s not the truth,” Nandy told Times Radio when asked about the apparent lack of progress.
“The truth is that we are listening to victims and authorities around the country about the need to give them the right tools to tackle it, this very pernicious problem, in their own areas.”
