Fiona Goddard and Ellie-Ann Reynolds criticise handling of national inquiry, which is yet to appoint a chair
Keir Starmer’s national grooming gang inquiry has been left in turmoil after two survivors resigned from its oversight panel and accused the Home Office and Labour of “contempt” and “political interference” before it has appointed a chair.
Ellie-Ann Reynolds and Fiona Goddard resigned on Monday from the inquiry’s oversight panel complaining of “condescending and controlling language used towards survivors” during the process.
Two prospective candidates to chair the inquiry, the former deputy chief constable Jim Gamble and the chair of the child safeguarding practice review panel, Annie Hudson, are due to meet the panel on Tuesday.
Reynolds, from Barrow, said in a statement: “The Home Office held meetings we weren’t told about, made decisions we could not question and withheld information that directly affected our work. When I asked for clarity, I was treated with contempt and ignored.”
