Kemi Badenoch has demanded a national inquiry into the UK’s “rape gangs scandal”, following Elon Musk’s criticism of Sir Keir Starmer over the issue. The Tory leader made her plea on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, insisting that “2025 must be the year that the victims start to get justice”.
This comes after US tycoon Mr Musk seemed to point the finger at the Prime Minister, claiming that “rape gangs were allowed to exploit young girls without facing justice” during Sir Keir’s tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions. Great Yarmouth’s Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe also called for an investigation into the matter, arguing it has been “disgracefully ignored and suppressed for too long”.
In her post, Mrs Badenoch stated: “The time is long overdue for a full national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal. Trials have taken place all over the country in recent years but no one in authority has joined the dots. 2025 must be the year that the victims start to get justice.”
Elon Musk criticised Keir Starmer over the issue on X
(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Responding to Mrs Badenoch, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage retorted: “Talk is cheap. The Conservatives had 14 years in government to launch an inquiry. The establishment has failed the victims of grooming gangs on every level.”
Prior to this, Mr Musk had posted on X: “In the UK, serious crimes such as rape require the Crown Prosecution Service’s approval for the police to charge suspects. Who was the head of the CPS when rape gangs were allowed to exploit young girls without facing justice? Keir Starmer, 2008-2013′.
Mr Lowe emphasised the need for transparency, stating that British citizens should have the opportunity to “see for themselves the extent of the horror” and urged the Government to disclose “all detail”. He questioned, “What is the Home Office currently doing in order to prevent ongoing grooming, rape, exploitation or abuse of young British girls? How many girls are estimated to still be involved with these gangs?” and demanded, “Will they publish a full nationality breakdown of those convicted for such offences, along with the location of their crimes?”
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse, helmed by Professor Alexis Jay and which concluded its final report in 2022, depicted the sexual exploitation of children as a pervasive issue, labelling it an “epidemic that leaves tens of thousands of victims in its poisonous wake”. This investigation into organised abuse scrutinised various instances of child sexual abuse across Britain, particularly noting cases from 2010-2014 in locations such as Rotherham, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Rochdale, and Bristol.
In November 2024, Professor Jay expressed her disappointment regarding the implementation of the inquiry’s recommendations. Despite over two years having elapsed since the finishing of the inquiry, she felt “frustrated” because not even one of the 20 recommendations had been put into action.
She said: “It’s a difficult subject matter, but it is essential that there’s some public understanding of it. But we can only do what we can to press the Government to look at the delivery of all of this. It doesn’t need more consultation, it does not need more research or discussion, it just needs to be done.” The Home Office has been contacted by PA for comment.
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