Jess Phillips is under increasing pressure to resign over her “betrayal” of grooming gang victims as the probe faces further turmoil. A group of four abuse survivors are demanding the Safeguarding Minister quit in a list of conditions for them to re-join the grooming gangs inquiry.
In a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the four – Fiona Goddard, Ellie-Ann Reynolds, Elizabeth Harper and “Jessica” – they accused Ms Phillips of labelling some of their claims “untrue”, saying they had provided evidence to the contrary. Phillips told MPs on Tuesday that “allegations of intentional delay, lack of interest or widening of the inquiry scope and dilution are false”. So what do you think? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comments section. Can’t see the poll below? Click here
Survivor Fiona Goddard shared the survivor’s letter on X which included that any “little trust” had been destroyed.
The letter read: “Being publicly contradicted and dismissed by a government minister when you are a survivor telling the truth takes you right back to that feeling of not being believed all over again.
“It is a betrayal that has destroyed what little trust remained.”
Along with Phillips’ exit, the women also called for their victim liaison officer to go and said this would mean the government was “serious about accountability”, as well as continuing to call for a judge to chair the inquiry.
However, Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister has said Phillips has the “full backing of the Prime Minister and Home Secretary” and will not be asked to go.