‘EMBARRASSMENT’ for Starmer as Labour Council votes in FAVOUR of grooming gang national inquiry

Sadiq Khan and the Labour Party faced another major political embarrassment after Wigan Council, a Labour-led authority, voted in favor of a national inquiry into the grooming gang scandal. This vote defied the Labour leadership’s stance and added to growing pressure for action on this critical issue.

The motion, brought forward by independent Councillor Morin O’Burn, was a significant victory for campaigners pushing for accountability and justice. Despite attempts to block the debate, all councillors present—64 Labour, 10 Independent, and 1 Conservative—voted unanimously in favor of the inquiry. This decision is seen as a direct challenge to both Labour’s leadership and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who have previously resisted calls for a nationwide investigation.

Councillor O’Burn has long campaigned for greater transparency and justice for survivors of grooming gangs. She revealed that past attempts to address the issue in Wigan’s council chambers were frequently obstructed. On Wednesday, when time constraints prevented her motion from being debated, she stood up and delivered her speech regardless, even as some Labour councillors walked out of the chamber.

The political fallout was amplified because Wigan is the constituency of Lisa Nandy, a senior Labour cabinet minister, and falls under the Greater Manchester Authority led by Mayor Andy Burnham. Burnham has previously supported limited inquiries but has not pushed for a national investigation. This vote highlights a growing divide within Labour on how to handle the issue.

Wigan’s decision follows similar votes in Stockton and Bradford, where councils have debated or approved motions for inquiries into grooming gangs. In Stockton, a Labour-run but minority-led council, a motion for a national investigation passed by 29 votes to 21. Bradford rejected a local inquiry motion, but pressure continues to mount across the country.

GB News reporter Charlie Peters, who has closely followed the grooming gang scandal, called the vote a victory for transparency and justice. He emphasized that only a national statutory inquiry, with the power to compel witnesses and hold individuals accountable, can provide survivors with the justice they deserve.

“This is about more than prosecuting perpetrators,” Peters said. “It’s about exposing those who covered up these crimes and ensuring they face the consequences of their actions.”

Le Anderson, a vocal advocate for addressing the grooming gang crisis, criticized Labour for its lack of leadership on the issue. “This is a massive embarrassment for Labour. Councillors and communities are stepping up where their leaders have failed. It’s time for Sadiq Khan and Keir Starmer to listen,” Anderson said during a discussion on GB News.

Meanwhile, some Labour councillors expressed discomfort with the motion, abstaining from the vote. However, their reluctance underscores the tension within the party as public pressure for accountability grows.

The government’s current position favors local inquiries rather than a national one. However, as more councils back a unified approach, the pressure on Downing Street is intensifying. Survivors, campaigners, and advocates argue that only a national inquiry can deliver comprehensive justice and ensure systemic reforms.

Councillor O’Burn, who has been at the forefront of these efforts, remains determined. Her persistence has inspired many, and her motion’s success is seen as a pivotal moment in the fight for justice.

As the debate continues, the question remains: will the government and Labour leadership heed the calls for a national inquiry, or will local councils continue to lead the charge for change? For now, the tide appears to be turning.