Survivors of the abuse in Oldham have called for a new investigation into historical child sex abuse cases in the town because they felt the local review was “too limited” and many of their voices had not been heard.
Some had called for a new review as early as 2023, when protesters disrupted a council meeting to make their demands.
After Labour lost control of the council in May 2024, a majority of councillors voted to write to the home office for a new probe.
Jess Phillips refused that request last October, despite some victims wanting the state to call a pubic inquiry, which has more powers than a local review.
The refusal was criticised by Musk, sparking a wave of interest in grooming gangs in Oldham, which eventually gave way to calls for a UK-wide child sex abuse inquiry.
Oldham council has opted instead to set up its own investigation, with a terms of reference set to be agreed in the coming months.
