Javid probe into groomers’ ethnicity

SAJID Javid has ordered research into the ethnic origin of sexual grooming gangs, it was reported last night. The Home Secretary apparently wants to discover why men convicted of group sex crimes are disproportionately of Pakistani origin.

Mr Javid, whose family roots are in Pakistan, said that discovering the ‘particular characteristics’ of the offenders was ‘critical to our understanding’ of what had happened.

He confirmed the research in a letter to Labour MP Sarah Champion, according to The Times. Mr Javid defended her last night for raising the issue, saying: ‘MPs should be able to do their job without being threatened or intimated in any way. Sarah Champion has my full support.’ When she was forced to resign from the shadow cabinet for her comments last August, he said: ‘We need an honest, open debate on child exploitation, including racial motivation.’ Miss Champion’s friends claim hard-Left and Muslim opponents are trying to force her from office and ruin her reputation.

Leading members of the town’s Pakistani community allegedly want a Muslim member of Rotherham council to replace her if she is deselected or gives up her seat.

Miss Champion leads a cross-party working group of MPs whose constituencies have been affected by exploitation and grooming. Places represented include Oxford, Blackpool, Rochdale, Huddersfield and Bradford.