Key points
- Rejected bill was tabled by Conservatives
- 364 MPs opposed the bill
- 111 lawmakers voted in favour
ISLAMABAD: British lawmakers have rejected a Conservative bid to push for another national inquiry into grooming gangs in the UK by 364 votes to 111.
According to the BBC, the bill was voted down by a margin of 253.
The amendment was attached to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which would have been killed had the vote passed, it said.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was quoted as saying that the government risked fuelling accusations of “a cover up” by refusing an inquiry.
Already probed
But Prime Minister Keir Starmer argued that several inquiries had already been held into abuse carried out by gangs of men and a new probe would only delay the action the victims wanted.
The amendment was largely symbolic, as the size Labour’s majority meant it was never likely to pass.
It would also have killed a major piece of government legislation, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill includes measures aimed at protecting children and tougher rules around home-schooling, as well as changes to academies, the British state-broadcaster said.
Delay concerns
Keir said it was “shocking” Conservative MPs would try to block a bill aimed at helping vulnerable children by voting for the Tory amendment and accused Badenoch of “weak leadership”.
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He said “reasonable people could agree or disagree” on whether there should be a fresh probe and acknowledged that there were mixed views among victims and survivors.
“Morally wrong”
However, Conservatives condemned Labour’s vote against the amendment as “morally wrong”.
Chris Philp, the Conservative shadow home secretary said, “When you’re in opposition you need to use every parliamentary device available to try and bring issues to the fore.”
“We must have this inquiry and we… will do everything we can to keep the victims at the front of this debate and to try and get the government to do the right thing.
“It’s not too late – Keir Starmer could still announce an inquiry and I really hope we can pressure him, persuade him to change his mind and do the right thing for victims,” he said.
