Elon Musk weighs in as Labour rejects Oldham’s call for child abuse inquiry

Labour has rejected calls from Oldham council for a government inquiry into historic child abuse.

Oldham councillors voted in July to ask the Home Office for a public inquiry to give a voice to those impacted by child sexual exploitation.

It followed a Greater Manchester Combined Authority review commissioned in 2019 which found evidence that the council had failed vulnerable children, despite its efforts to protect them.

The review, which was requested by ex-Oldham council leader Sean Fielding alongside the chair of Oldham Safeguarding Partnership, stated there was ‘no evidence’ of a council cover up.

But the Home Office told the Local Democracy Reporting Service today a new government-led investigation into historic sex abuse cases will not take place.

It follows reports safeguarding minister Jess Phillips wrote back to the council saying any inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham should be organised locally.

Oldham council said it has promised victims their voices will be heard despite the lack of government intervention.

A spokesperson added: “Survivors sit at the heart of our work to end child sexual exploitation.

“Whatever happens in terms of future inquiries, we have promised them that their wishes will be paramount, and we will not renege on that pledge.

“We all recognise that terrible mistakes were made in the past, with children ignored or dismissed.

“By ensuring that survivors have a voice that is heard, we can help make sure that no child will be failed in the future.”

The Oldham council motion in July also called on the town hall to prepare to commission an independent inquiry in case the Home Office refused their request for support.

It stated that ‘any inquiry should provide a voice for those affected by child sexual exploitation in Oldham and provide the very best support and protection to those who wish to come forward with their testimony.’

Labour’s rejection of the council’s request has sparked backlash from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch who has demanded a national inquiry into the UK’s “rape gangs scandal.”

She wrote on X: “The time is long overdue for a full national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal.

“Trials have taken place all over the country in recent years but no one in authority has joined the dots.

"2025 must be the year that the victims start to get justice.”

US-based billionaire Elon Musk has also thrown himself into the row, accusing Labour leader Keir Starmer of not doing enough to tackle the issue when he was director of public prosecutions.

Mr Musk wrote on X: “The real reason she’s [Jess Phillips] refusing to investigate the rape gangs is that it would obviously lead to the blaming of Keir Stamer (head of the CPS at the time).”

Labour and the Home Office were approached for comment.

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