Dr Taj Hargey from the Oxford Institute for British Islam has accused Labour of refusing a national grooming gangs inquiry to “secure the Muslim-bloc vote.”
He claimed Labour was “sucking up to the Muslim electorate” in its approach to investigating child sexual exploitation.
The comments come after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced government-backed local inquiries into grooming gangs, following mounting pressure for a national investigation.
Between 1997 and 2013, towns and cities were blighted by gangs of men, predominantly of Pakistani descent, who raped and trafficked children as young as 11.
Dr Taj Hargey said that this is just “a cover-up”
GB News
Speaking to GB News, Dr Taj Hargey said: “This is just a cover-up. If the most of these perpetrators were Tory voters, we would have a national inquiry tomorrow.
“I mean, this is just about sustaining and securing the Muslim bloc vote. I think what’s important is that it has really failed to really talk very candidly about the four items, it’s about the race, ethnicity, religion and culture.
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“We really need to expose this. We can’t duck and dive in and and pretend they are white grooming gangs.
“In this particular case, it’s mainly British, Pakistani men who are all Muslim. We really need to call a spade a spade.
“I think it’s very important that the Labour government stop sucking up to the Muslim electorate.”
The government-backed local inquiries will be funded and supported by central government, marking a shift in Labour’s approach to investigating historical abuse cases.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced government-backed local inquiries
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However, the inquiries will not have powers to compel witnesses to give evidence, a measure that Labour MP Sarah Champion had advocated for.
The evidence collected will not be reported back to the Home Office for a national response.
Four new inquiries will be launched, in addition to one already agreed upon in Oldham.
The investigations will be advised by Tom Crowther KC, who previously led the Telford grooming gang inquiry published in 2022.
Dr Taj Hargey fumed at the response
GB News
The announcement follows weeks of calls for action on child sexual exploitation.
Several Labour MPs have broken ranks with party leadership on the issue, including representatives from Rotherham, Rochdale and Liverpool Walton.
The controversy intensified after safeguarding minister Jess Phillips rejected Oldham Council’s request for a government inquiry, suggesting the council should lead its own investigation instead.
