Oldham Conservatives ask Home Secretary for CSE inquiry

Oldham Conservative councillors Beth Sharp (St James), Dave Arnott (Royton North), Lewis Quigg (Royton North) and Robert Barnes (Chadderton South) have written a joint letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel urging the Home Office to consider granting an independent public inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Oldham.

The councillors say they are deeply concerned that the recently published Child Sexual Exploitation review, commissioned by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and completed by Gary Ridgeway and Malcolm Newsam, highlighted only some of the 'significant failings' by Oldham Council and Greater Manchester Police, and that it did not go far enough or deep enough into how far-reaching these crimes have gone in Oldham.

Eleven cases were identified in the review and the Conservatives feel that this in part was due to the narrow scope of the review, and has failed to assure a great many members of the public.

The Conservative councillors insist people of Oldham are angry and can sense that something is wrong and that they deserve answers.

Royton North Councillor Arnott said: “We have taken this initial step, contacting the Home Office, not only because we are determined to see a full and independent inquiry that gets to the bottom of what has been going on in Oldham, and as only recently admitted by the former Leader of the Council, still is, but also because we have been asked to do so, by many members of the public and opposition parties.

“I would acknowledge that members of the public, campaign groups, and opposition parties, notably the Failsworth Independent Party, have also been campaigning for a public inquiry for years and in some cases, have suffered considerable and unfair ridicule, and worse, for their efforts.

"As Conservatives, we have been urged to contact our own Government for assistance and intervention.”

St James Councillor Sharp said: "Our letter to the Home Secretary is only the beginning of a process that will take time and coordination.

"We must now navigate with the Civil Service in Whitehall, and public inquiries are not granted readily, regardless of the party in power.

"The key to our success will be a strategic approach, working with other groups, and a dogged determination to keep going, however long it takes.

"The victims of grooming and rape in our town deserve nothing less.”

Royton North Councillor Quigg added: “We have taken solace from the independent inquiry in Telford and Wrekin but must remember how hard campaigners there had to work to secure that inquiry.

"There is no doubt, that the most effective way to achieve a similar inquiry would be for the council to refer itself.

"They have absolutely no intention of considering that. Especially when one Labour Councillor noted that a public inquiry would be a waste of taxpayer’s money.

"Since when has it been morally right to put a price on uncovering the truth of crimes committed against the children of a town like Oldham?

"The Council Leader has abdicated her responsibly, shrugging of repeated calls for action and asked the opposition to do her job.”

Chadderton South Councillor Barnes concluded: “In the council chamber, I made it clear that this is only the beginning of our campaign.

"We are confident that under the Inquiries Act 2005, Chapter 12, Point 1, we are fully justified in our call for an independent inquiry, and we will continue to do so, for however long it takes."

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