Displaying items by tag: public inquiry

A damning report by Dame Louise Casey has revealed systemic failures across England and Wales in addressing grooming gangs that have sexually exploited thousands of children. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper responded with an unequivocal apology to victims and survivors, announcing a full national inquiry and promising the most comprehensive reforms ever taken by a UK government to combat child sexual exploitation. The Casey report highlights years of obfuscation by public institutions, with suspects often disproportionately of Asian heritage or with ethnicity data missing and agencies failing to act. Recommendations include broadening the legal definition of rape, improving data sharing, and initiating a nationally coordinated criminal investigation. A new national operation will be led by the National Crime Agency. Controversially, Cooper also announced that asylum seekers found guilty of grooming or sexual offences will be barred from claiming refuge in the UK. Criticisms remain over previous government inaction and political posturing, yet survivors and campaigners have welcomed the long-overdue steps. Casey called for definitive action, stating, “We must right the wrongs of the past.”

A report compiled by two committees, containing MPs from all parties, revealed that the early response to stop Covid spreading was a complete failure. Attempting herd immunity led to a delay in introducing the first lockdown and cost over 150,000 lives. The report covers a variety of successes and failures in 150 pages. MPs Jeremy Hunt and Greg Clark, chairing the committees, said the nature of the pandemic meant it was ‘impossible to get everything right’. ‘The UK has combined some big achievements with some big mistakes. It is vital to learn from both’, they said. Stephen Barclay said scientific advice had been followed and difficult judgments had been made to protect the NHS. A full public inquiry is expected in 2022, and the Government will not shy away from any lessons to be learned. Pray for the inquiry to have bereaved families at its heart.