A heated exchange erupted on GB News between former Labour adviser Matthew Laza and ex-Tory MP Anna Firth over the grooming gangs controversy.
Laza accused the Conservative Party of hypocrisy, particularly targeting Kemi Badenoch’s record as Minister for Children.
“Kemi Badenoch had eight years, including as the Minister for Children, and she didn’t mention the issue once from the despatch box,” Laza said during the fiery debate.
“It’s outrageous the Tories are jumping on this issue, outrageous,” he added.
Laza clashed with Anna Firth on GB News
GB NEWS
Labour has defended its position against calls for a national inquiry into grooming gangs, pointing to its support for local investigations.
A Labour spokesperson said the party “will welcome and support an independent investigation commissioned by Oldham Council which puts victims’ voices at its heart.”
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The party highlighted its previous backing of inquiries in Telford and Rotherham, as well as the national overarching inquiry into child abuse that reported in 2022.
Labour’s safeguarding minister Jess Phillips stated it is for local councils to decide on investigations, saying the government will not “intervene” in the Oldham inquiry.
During the GB News clash, Firth attempted to defend Badenoch by citing her “powerful speech” at the recent Conservative conference.
Laza responded with laughter, suggesting it was absurd to imply grooming gangs weren’t an issue a decade ago.
The GB News panel spoke about Labour’s decision not to vote in favour of a national inquiry
GB NEWS
“You might get re-selected because you’re parroting the issue,” Laza told Firth.
The exchange grew more heated when Firth insisted “It’s come out now and she has taken the action needed,” prompting further criticism from Laza about Badenoch’s previous silence on the issue.
The row comes amid growing pressure for a national inquiry into grooming gangs across multiple English towns.
Conservative shadow ministers Chris Philp and Alicia Kearns have written to the Home Secretary demanding a “time-limited, national statutory Public Inquiry.”
The scandal saw girls as young as 11 groomed and raped across towns including Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham and Telford.
A 2014 report by Professor Alexis Jay revealed approximately 1,400 girls were abused between 1997 and 2013 while authorities failed to intervene.
The debate continues as Laza defended Labour’s current approach, stating “This government is implementing every single one of the Alexis Jay report.”
However, recent reports suggest otherwise, with Professor Jay herself expressing frustration in late 2023 that none of the probe’s 20 recommendations had been implemented more than two years after its conclusion.
The controversy has gained renewed attention as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch wrote that a public inquiry is “long overdue,” declaring “2025 must be the year that the victims start to get justice.”
