By DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 15:38 BST, 17 May 2026 | Updated: 15:50 BST, 17 May 2026
Would-be prime minister Andy Burnham has been criticised over his response to the grooming gangs scandal.Maggie Oliver said that the Greater Manchester mayor was happy to talk about historical cases but 'fell short' when it came to addressing ongoing abuse.The former police whistleblower spoke out as Mr Burnham seeks the nomination to run for Labour in the Makerfield by-election, seen as a stepping stone to challenging Sir Keir Starmer for the premiership.It came as Reform said it would use the grooming gangs scandals to try to damage him in the by-election in a seat which looks to be a two-horse race with Labour.Ms Oliver, who was linked with being the Reform candidate before saying she would not stand, told Times Radio she was unhappy at his response to the final part of the Oldham Review, which looked at whether Greater Manchester Police had improved its handling of grooming cases.She said that 'when it came to really showing leadership and courage and gripping what is going on now, unfortunately he turned away and we missed a huge opportunity to really bring changes that are needed'.'I saw him very willing to shine a spotlight on the failures of the past,' she said.'But when it came to this duty of candour that he talks about, looking at what is going on now, which is how we will see change for the future in addressing what's going on now, I'm afraid that he fell short in my opinion.' Former Maggie Oliver said that the Greater Manchester mayor was happy to talk about historical cases but 'fell short' when it came to addressing ongoing abuse The former police whistleblower spoke out as Mr Burnham seeks the nomination to run for Labour in the Makerfield by-election, seen as a stepping stone to challenging Sir Keir Starmer for the premiership.According to one estimate, upwards of 250,000 girls have been attacked repeatedly by street gangs in 50 British towns and cities over the past 40 years.Social services and police have apologised for their past failings surrounding victims.A report into the Rochdale grooming gangs scandal ordered by Mr Burnham in 2017 found that a generation of girls had been failed.Its lead author, child protection specialist Malcolm Newsam, identified 96 men who are still deemed a potential risk to children.He concluded that two 'lone voices' - Sara Rowbotham, co-ordinator of a young people's Crisis Intervention Team, and Ms Oliver - had flagged clear evidence of 'prolific serial rape of countless children in Rochdale'.But this was not acted upon, with the children's unwillingness to make a formal complaint repeatedly used as an excuse for not investigating.Ms Oliver, who hit national headlines as a grooming gangs whistleblower, last week said she had felt 'hugely flattered' by calls for her to stand for Reform.But she said she feels she can 'do more good from the place I am', fighting for rape gang survivors.
