Politics LIVE: Keir Starmer accused of 'sabotaging rape gangs inquiry' after victims left 'silenced'

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of "sabotaging" the national rape gangs inquiry after two victims quit the probe's panel.

Fiona Goddard and Ellie Reynolds, who were groomed by gangs, announced yesterday that they were resigning as advisers amid concerns Sir Keir's Government was not listening to victims.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch Kemi Badenoch went further, putting pressure on the prime Minister to scrap the current probe and start over.

“Many will now suspect Labour is sabotaging the grooming gangs inquiry and deliberately dragging it out beyond the next election," the Leader of the Opposition said.

"It has now been over four months since Keir Starmer was dragged into launching a national inquiry, yet nothing has happened. We need a judge-led inquiry with full statutory powers."

The fury came after Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips told the House of Commons last month that the Government “would not lose any more time in pursuing truth and justice for victims and survivors”.

However, no timetable has yet been set, with no chairman being appointed.

Downing Street yesterday refused to commit to a timetable for the grooming gangs inquiry and warned against “speculation” while the process was ongoing.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman instead insisted that the Government’s priority was to “get it right”.

He added: “Previous inquiries took a long time to set up… We’re not going to offer a timeline on it here.”

A Home Office spokesman also said: “The abuse of children by grooming gangs is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable.

"Any suggestion that this inquiry is being watered down is completely wrong – we are committed to delivering a robust, thorough inquiry that will get to the truth and provide the answers that survivors have so long campaigned for.

“We are working urgently to appoint the best chair to take forward this work and deliver justice, putting victims and survivors at the heart of the process.

“We are grateful to all those who have shared their insights with us. We share the concerns around unhelpful speculation while this process is live – which is why we will not be providing a running commentary.”

FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…

'Disgrace!' Robert Jenrick blasts Keir Starmer as grooming gangs probe plunged into chaos

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has blasted Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister was accused of "sabotaging" the national grooming gangs inquiry.

Speaking to GB News, Mr Jenrick said: "It's a total disgrace. Let's be honest, Keir Starmer never wanted this inquiry in the first place.

"His MPs voted against it time and again, when we pushed them on into the beginning of this year.

"Eventually, he agreed to do it. Now, he's spent four months setting it up. It doesn't even exist today.

"All he's managed to do so far is set up this panel. And now some of the bravest of the brave, the survivors who were on this panel beginning the preparatory work for the inquiry, have resigned.

"Why? Because they said they're being demeaned. They're being treated appallingly by the Home Office and the Ministers there.

"They're having to submit questions in advance. They can't even speak their own minds in public.

"The scope of the inquiry is being distorted so that it's not actually just going to focus on grooming gangs, this very particular national scandal, it's being diluted so that it doesn't even focus on the religious element of this

'She wants it right!' Labour Minister defends Home Office over grooming gangs chaos

Business Secretary Peter Kyle has defended the Home Office amid fears Labour is "sabotaging" the process.

Speaking to GB News, Mr Kyle said: "We are determined to get to the truth.

"Nobody more than Shabana Mahmood wants to get this inquiry right."

Mr Kyle also denied the suggestion Labour is "sabotaging" the process, adding: "We need to get it right."

'Matters for the King!' Labour Minister refuses to comment on Prince Andrew's dukedom

Business Secretary Peter Kyle has refused to say if he supports the removal of Prince Andrew's dukedom.

Speaking to GB News, Mr Kyle said: "These are matters for the King.

"My concern today, particularly on a day where we learn more revelations based on the book on Virginia Giuffre, that all of our thoughts are with the victims of Epstein."

SNP tables amendment to strip Prince Andrew of dukedom

Legislation to remove Prince Andrew’s dukedom must be put forward without “any further excuses and any further delay”, the Scottish National Party has said.

The SNP is putting forward a motion to pressure Sir Keir Starmer’s Government to strip Andrew of the title, which would require an Act of Parliament.

Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster leader, said that “power and privilege” has protected those in the Epstein scandal for far too long and that the legislation to remove the title must be brought forward.

Mr Flynn has submitted an early day motion (EDM) which allows MPs to express an opinion, publicise a cause or support a position. It is rare for them to be debated.

Andrew relinquished his Duke of York title last week after further fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the publication of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir.

However, he continues to hold his royal title.

Business Secretary to speak to GB News Breakfast - follow live 

Business Secretary Peter Kyle will be speaking to GB News Breakfast in a matter of minutes.

You can follow Mr Kyle's grilling at the hands of Eamonn Holmes and Ellie Costello live HERE. We'll also bring you all the top lines on this live blog.

Last night's breaking news: Chagos Islands deal passes in Commons - with formal 'surrender' now expected in just months

The Chagos Islands "surrender" deal cleared its final Commons hurdle on Monday night, paving the way for the territory to be formally handed to Mauritius by the end of this year.

MPs voted through the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill on its third reading by a 320-171 margin shortly before 11pm - following a testy debate in the chamber.

Reform UK's Danny Kruger had raised fears of a "secret deal with China" lying behind the handover deal as he warned just how "baffling" the decision to give the islands away would be.

The deal, if it passes the Lords, will see the British Indian Ocean Territory formally ceded to Mauritius.

Britain will then pay to rent back Diego Garcia, the archipelago's largest island and home to a joint UK-US military base.

READ THE FULL STORY ON THE HANDOVER HERE

On Labour's agenda: Rachel Reeves to lay out plans to slash red tape for thousands of British businesses

Rachel Reeves will today promise to slash Government red tape from thousands of British businesses in a bid to persuade the budget watchdog to upgrade the UK's growth forecasts.

In a new slate of measures to be announced on Tuesday, ministers will outline plans including letting AI firms to release new products - even if they don't comply with existing rules and regulations.

The Government will also tell all regulators, including environmental quangos, they have a paramount duty to prioritise economic growth in their decision-making.

Every regulator will be set targets to speed up the reduction of red tape, with performance league tables to be made public in a bid to name-and-shame those lagging behind.

The Chancellor will tell the Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham: "Our mission is clear: to create the right environment for investment through our regulatory reforms, to crowd in capital through our public financial institutions, to break down silos to collaboration on local projects, and to support innovation and growth throughout the UK."

Keir Starmer to jet off to Brazil for COP climate summit in 40th overseas trip as PM

Sir Keir Starmer will be jetting off to Brazil for the Cop30 climate summit next month in his 40th foreign trip as PM, No10 has confirmed.

The PM is set for a transatlantic trip to port city Belem in November to hobnob with world leaders on climate change and net zero.

Last night, his official spokesman said Sir Keir would travel in a bid to restore the UK as "a global leader for climate action and green growth".

Net zero, the spokesman said, is "the economic opportunity of the 21st century", could "reignite our industrial heartlands" and "create good jobs for the future".

Elsewhere, he will also travel thousands of miles to South Africa in November - this time for a G20 summit.