Public inquiry we demanded is to go ahead as council caves in
WORST CHILD ABUSE SCANDAL
The Sunday Mirror has got the inquiry we called for into child sex abuse in Telford.
Authorities there caved in after claiming in 2016 that an independent investigation was not necessary.
Now campaigning Telford Tory MP Lucy Allan will meet Crime and Safeguarding Minister Victoria Atkins to agree its remit.
There is a hold-up because Telford’s council says the Government should fund the inquiry while the Government says Telford should.
But Ms Allan told the Sunday Mirror: “I’m going to let them fight it out.
“There’s going to be an inquiry whoever ends up paying for it.”
PM Theresa May backed Ms Allan after applauding our reporter Geraldine McKelvie for exposing the extent of abuse.
Mrs May said: “We have all been shocked by the horrific case in Telford of some of the most vulnerable in our country being preyed upon by ruthless criminals. “It’s important the inquiry begins its work to get to the truth and does so as quickly as possible.” Ms Allan has tabled a Commons motion demanding the probe should mirror one in Rotherham which revealed 1,400 mostly white girls were abused by mostly Asian men. It says: “Telford had the highest number of child sexual offences recorded per head of population.” Her bid is backed by Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, Rotherham Labour MP Sarah Champion, Labour’s Alex Sobel and Tory Robert Halfon. Rochdale Labour MP Tony Lloyd added: “Lucy Allan is right. We must never blame the victims. All local agencies must demonstrate they have learnt lessons. “Questions must be asked when a 14 year old has a 35 year old boyfriend.”