Sex grooming review’s initial findings to be revealed ‘next week’
But meetiNg will be behiNd closed doors with police aNd couNcillors
THE independent expert leading a review into Huddersfield’s sex grooming scandal is set to reveal his interim findings next week.
But the closed meeting with Dr Mark Peel at Huddersfield Town Hall will be an invitation-only event that excludes members of the public as well as the Press.
Instead only council officials, representatives from the police and Kirklees’ 69 councillors have been asked to attend.
An email, which has been seen by the Examiner, said Dr Peel, chairman of Leeds Children Safeguarding Partnership, would present interim findings and answer any questions members have.
It added: “The final findings will be made public after Dr Peel has finished his review and held another briefing for members around Easter.”
“I note the secrecy here,” said one councillor.
The council initiated its review following the imprisonment of 20 men who were found guilty of child sex offences including rape, inciting child prostitution and abduction of a child.
Ringleader Amere Singh Dhaliwal was convicted of 54 offences against 11 girls. In total the group was sentenced to more than 200 years in prison.
The latest briefing comes three months after the borough’s elected members were invited to meet Dr Peel to talk about the independent review into child sexual exploitation in the town.
That meeting caused controversy after members of the council’s Conservative group expressed concern that it was being held behind closed doors.
Tories had already called for an independent judge-led review of the scandal and were disappointed by the decision of council leader Clr Shabir Pandor to call for a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation across England and Wales.
Clr Pandor has since written to Home Secretary Sajid Javid to press for the public inquiry to take place.
Dr Peel’s independent review, into the grooming and sexual abuse of vulnerable, isolated and under-age girls, was commissioned separately by Kirklees Safeguarding Board. But Conservatives criticised the decision, claiming Dr Peel’s role brings him too close to the people and partners involved, meaning he cannot be regarded as ‘impartial’.
They said holding what amounted to a secret meeting was ‘ unacceptable’ and would lack sufficient transparency.
The Labour-led administration came in for further criticism last week when councillors said they had not received the update they had been promised and complained of being ‘stonewalled’.
Dr Peel’s latest briefing will take place next Tuesday, March 5.