UK politics - live: Tories lose vote on grooming gangs inquiry as Starmer hints at U-turn
The amendment to Labour’s flagship Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill received 111 Ayes and 364 Noes
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Your support makes all the difference.A Conservative Party amendment calling for a national inquiry on grooming gangs has been rejected in the Commons.
The amendment to Labour’s flagship Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill received 111 Ayes and 364 Noes, majority 253.
Mrs Badenoch’s amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill called for ministers “to develop new legislative proposals for children’s wellbeing including establishing a national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focused on grooming gangs”.
Prime minister Keir Starmer hit out at the Tory leader earlier on Wednesday over “lies and misinformation and slinging of mud” which did not help victims of child sexual abuse.
Sir Keir’s official spokesman faced questions about the possibility of a national inquiry after safeguarding minister Jess Phillips told Sky News “nothing is off the table” in dealing with the scandal.
The spokesman said the PM and his minister were of the same view, and insisted the Government’s response is “rooted in what victims want”.
He added: “But as the Prime Minister said on Monday we will always remain open-minded. We will always listen to local authorities who want to take forward inquiries, or indeed further allegations that need to be followed up.”
Labour’s flagship education bill to get second reading
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.
MPs reject Tory bid to launch another grooming gang inquiry
MPs have rejected a Conservative bid to push for another national inquiry into grooming gangs.
The amendment to the Government’s draft child protection legislation was put to a Commons’ vote on Wednesday following a bitter Prime Minister’s Questions in which Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said failing to back a probe would fuel concerns about a “cover-up”.
The Conservatives had tabled the amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill demanding a new national inquiry into gangs which, if approved, would have prevented the legislation from making progress.
But MPs voted rejected the motion by 364 votes to 111, majority 253.
Everything you need to know as MPs vote on new grooming gangs inquiry - and why it will fail
Everything you need to know as MPs vote on grooming gangs inquiry
The Tories are pushing for a new grooming inquiry in an amendment to Labour’s child safety Bill - but even if it passes, it’s unlikely a inquiry will be launched
Labour MP expresses disgust at remarks in Commons by Reform MP
Labour’s Rotherham MP Sarah Champion became visibly emotional in a speech to MPs as she expressed “disgust” at remarks in the Commons by Reform MP Rupert Lowe.
Praising the children’s safety bill as addressing “a lot of the underlying problems that we have within our schools, education and indeed protection of children”, Ms Champion said: “I’ve got to say, I feel disgusted by what the honourable gentleman has just said.
“Can you imagine if you are a victim or survivor listening to that? I’m sure his intent is to get to the truth and get justice, but the language – please think about who hears our words.”
In a lengthy tirade during which he refused to give way to other MPs, Mr Lowe had urged the government to deport foreign nationals found guilty of grooming crimes, and claimed that female family members who were aware of relatives’ crimes “are just as guilty as the rapists themselves”.
Kemi Badenoch urged to retract PMQs claim over definition of Islamophobia
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has called on Kemi Badenoch to retract her claim that a proposed definition of Islamophobia included “talking about sex groomers” as an example.
Zara Mohammed, secretary-general of the MCB, said: “Let me be absolutely clear – British Muslims unequivocally support the thorough investigation and prosecution of all child abusers, regardless of background. The MCB will support yet another investigation if proponents can explain why previous inquiries costing millions have not given them the answers they are looking for.
“Those who seek to weaponise this issue against Muslims have already received answers they didn’t want from previous inquiries. Yet they persist in pursuing a divisive agenda rather than focusing on protecting children through evidence-based approaches.
“What we will not accept is the cynical exploitation of child protection issues to demonise British Muslims. Mrs Badenoch’s comments represent a new low in the Conservative Party’s persistent refusal to tackle anti-Muslim prejudice within its ranks.
“The Opposition leader should retract her misleading claims and focus instead on supporting evidence-based approaches to protecting all children in our society.”
Watch: Starmer takes swipe at Nigel Farage over Elon Musk snub
Farage suggests Reform UK will fund inquiry into child sexual abuse
Nigel Farage has suggested 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 inquiry.
As MPs debated the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the Clacton MP told the Commons there is “overwhelming” support across the political spectrum for an inquiry.
He 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.”
Scotland’s first minister voices concern at Meta changes and will ‘keep considering’ use of X
SNP leader John Swinney has said he is concerned by the moderation changes at Facebook and Instagram, while signalling that he may reconsider the Scottish Government’s use of X, formerly Twitter, in future.
Meta has announced that Facebook and Instagram will move away from using third-party fact checkers to flag misleading content in favour of user-based notes similar to X.
Exclusive: Tories refuse to restore whip to Warsi despite clearing her over Sunak coconut tweet
Kemi Badenoch has refused to restore the whip to Sayeeda Warsi, despite her being cleared of wrongdoing over a tweet calling Rishi Sunak a coconut.
The former party chair resigned the Tory whip in the Lords in September when it emerged she was being investigated over the tweet.
The Independent has now learned that the disciplinary panel cleared Baroness Warsi of being “divisive” and “bringing the party into disrepute”. But despite this, the Tory chief whip has written to the peer, who was UK’s first Muslim cabinet member, saying she is not welcome back in the party.
Baroness Warsi said she was being targeted for warning of rising levels of Islamophobia in the party.
Our political editor David Maddox has the exclusive report:
Badenoch refuses to restore whip to Baroness Warsi despite clearing her of wrongdoing
Exclusive: Tory leader refuses to reinstate UK’s first Muslim cabinet member less than 24 hours after backing Robert Jenrick for railing against ‘alien cultures with medieval attitudes’
Exlcusive: Starmer urged to scrap funding for Musk’s firms after billionaire receives £190m from UK taxpayers
The Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Starmer urged to scrap ties with Musk’s firms after they receive £190m from taxpayers
Exclusive: Firms owned by Elon Musk have raked in more than £190m of taxpayer cash since 2016, sparking calls for Sir Keir Starmer to prevent any further public funds going to the billionaire’s sprawling business empire
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