CSE debate sees heated row break out again

A heated row broke out out during a motion calling for mandatory reporting of concerns of child sexual abuse as councillors were heckled and calls for a further public inquiry in Oldham were defeated.

Proceedings had to be twice adjourned at a meeting of the full council at Oldham’s civic centre last night (Wednesday) after protesters in the public gallery interrupted proceedings and shouted at councillors during and after the motion.

One woman, who became emotional during the debate, was later asked to leave the chamber after wishing ill on a councillor’s children.

The motion – which was agreed by a majority of councillors present – wanted a compulsory duty to report safeguarding concerns enshrined in the Code of Conduct for elected members, and consultation on the duty for officials employed by the council.

Moved by council leader Arooj Shah, it also stated they want to develop and adopt a ‘Victims and Survivors Charter’ in Oldham in consultation with victim and survivor groups.

The motion comes just over a year on from the publication of the assurance review into allegations of child sexual exploitation, and political cover-ups, in the borough in the 2000s.

Coun Shah said the report was a ‘devastating read’ and it ‘lays bare the experiences of those vulnerable girls and boys at the hands of evil men’.

“Nobody who reads it fail to be horrified of what they want through, nor can they fail to be ashamed at the missed opportunities that were there to help them,” she added.

Following the publication of the report the council had made ‘significant progress’, Coun Shah (pictured below) told the meeting.

“But it is clear there is much more to be done. Children in this borough, unfortunately just like all boroughs, cities and towns across the country, continue to be at risk of exploitation,” she added.

“Our safeguarding staff work hard to protect children and young people – they’re dedicated and they’re committed. But that doesn’t mean to say that we’re complacent.

“This motion reflects the voices of those brave women and girls, and boys who wanted their experiences to help shape current practice, who wanted to protect children and young people at risk now.

“This motion seeks to take our work to tackle the exploitation of children in this borough further than any other local authority across this country.”

The assurance review, published in June 2022, was damning of failures by both police and Oldham council to protect vulnerable young people from abuse in the years 2011 to 2014, and in a specific case dating back to 2005.

However, the review team found no evidence of a widespread cover-up of sexual exploitation.

Numerous calls for a further widespread inquiry into abuse in Oldham over a longer time period and with a wider remit have been voted down at previous council meetings.

An amendment to the motion, moved by Conservative Councillor Lewis Quigg, called again for a public inquiry and for professionals who failed young people subject to abuse to be held accountable.

“It’s very much looking to the future but not prepared to address the past,” he said.

“And that is where the problem lies.

“Not one single public official who allowed people to slip through that net, who allowed people to go through the corridors, who allowed people to be picked up outside police stations has been found, arrested or charged.

“It’s a complete sham to say that victims are not wanting more.

"A public inquiry can understand what really went on.”

Seconding the motion, Coun Dave Arnott added they supported the ambition to develop a survivors and victims charter in Oldham.

But he said: “Justice for victims will not be served until those whose criminal acts, duplicity or sheer incompetence on an industrial scale led to, or allowed, these crimes to go on for decades undetected, undeclared or unpunished, are brought to account.”

However, cabinet member for children and young people Coun Shaid Mushtaq, who along with Coun Shah moved the original Labour motion said the issue of abuse should not be politicised.

He added: “I did not defend this council or the police or any individuals.

"We are all aware of widespread acknowledgement that the system failed the very people it was meant to protect.

“I have been cynical about the intentions of some in this chamber because at times the debate has been vitriolic, it’s been personal, it’s been contradictory and hypocritical.

"I was seeing bullying, mis-truths, defamation of character and outright lies about individuals, including myself.”

He said that the outcome of the assurance review last year had led to ‘significant changes to how things were and are now happening’.

This included the launch of Operation Sherwood by Greater Manchester Police which is aiming to bring perpetrators of abuse in Oldham to justice.

Coun Mushtaq said the motion was proposing ‘practical things that will improve the system that let so many down all those years ago’.

The motion also asked the chief executive to write to the Home Office to request recommendations from a national review over child sexual abuse are accepted.

And it asks for support from the government for the final stage assurance review announced by mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, which includes looking at ‘current operational practice across key agencies’.

The Conservative amendment was voted down, before the Labour amendment was voted through.

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