MACCLESFIELD MP TRIED TO JUSTIFY VOTING AGAINST A NATIONAL GROOMING GANG INQUIRY
Macclesfield's MP, Tim Roca, has explained his decision to oppose a Conservative bid for a new inquiry into grooming gangs.On January 8, MPs voted down the attempt by the Tories to establish a national investigation into grooming gangs, with the vote tallying 362 against and 111 in support.
Had the amendment passed, it would have derailed the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which includes measures to protect children.
Mr Roca stated: "The bill aims to give children the best start in life, raise school standards, introduce free breakfast clubs, and represents the single biggest piece of child protection legislation in a generation." In his statement, he emphasized the systemic failures revealed by past inquiries into child abuse in areas like Rotherham and Rochdale, and highlighted the importance of ongoing measures.
He said: "The 2022 National Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), led by Professor Alexis Jay OBE, lasted seven years, involving over 7,000 survivors, reviewing 2 million pages of evidence, and creating 61 reports with 20 recommendations.
Despite these efforts, no substantial government action was taken at the time." Roca also welcomed recent government promises to introduce mandatory reporting of abuse, tougher sentences, better police standards, and the creation of a victims and survivors panel.
He added: "Whatever your view on a new inquiry, this amendment would have delayed actions to address issues like children missing from education and thus was detrimental." He condemned the politicization of sexual violence issues, saying: "Whether it be foreign billionaires or bandwagoning MPs, exploiting this issue harms victims and needs reflection."
