Mayor Rejects Conservative Bid for London Grooming Gangs Inquiry
A proposal for a multi-million-pound inquiry into potential grooming gangs operating in London was firmly rejected at City Hall on Tuesday. The Conservative-backed amendment, which sought £4.49 million for an “Independent Inquiry into the Exploitation of Children in London,” failed to gain enough support, with Labour, the Greens, the Liberal Democrats, and an independent member voting against the motion.
The amendment required a two-thirds majority to pass but was defeated 16 to 9, with only Reform UK’s sole assembly member siding with the Conservatives. The debate follows weeks of political clashes over the issue, with Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall previously accusing Mayor Sadiq Khan of “stonewalling” questions on whether organised gangs had been operating in the capital.
The Conservatives argue that London must investigate the scale of child sexual abuse, citing reports that over 50 areas across the UK have already been identified where grooming gangs have been active. However, their claim that the Jay Report , the most recent independent inquiry into child sexual abuse, did not examine London was factually incorrect. The inquiry did include Tower Hamlets as a case study, alongside Bristol, Durham, St Helens, Swansea, and Warwickshire
Labour Assembly Member Krupesh Hirani pointed out this inaccuracy, questioning the need for a separate London-specific inquiry when national-level investigations have already taken place.
Clash Over Inquiry Scope and Credibility
The Conservatives also referenced a GB News report that compiled a list of more than 50 towns and cities allegedly affected by grooming gangs, though the methodology of the report has been challenged. The Tories insist that no local inquiries have taken place in any London borough, leaving critical gaps in understanding the scale of abuse.
Following the vote, Lord Bailey, a Conservative London Assembly Member, expressed frustration at the rejection:
“I am beyond disappointed. We have worked to find the money for an inquiry that London desperately needs—for the victims, for faith in our institutions, and to restore relationships between communities.”
“Today, the other parties had an opportunity to take the first step towards justice, and they have chosen not to.”
However, the amendment wasn’t just about grooming gangs. It bundled multiple spending proposals together, including:
- £122m for frontline policing to prevent staff cuts
- £15m for pothole repairs across London
- £7m for a Met Police theft reduction unit
- £1.5m for a ‘Nightlife Prosperity Fund’ to support late-night businesses
The Conservatives claimed these policies could be funded by reducing staffing at City Hall, cutting London & Partners, and capping the number of deputy mayors at five—but opposition parties dismissed this as an unrealistic financial plan.
What Happens Next?
With the amendment defeated, the Mayor’s budget remains unchanged, and no immediate plans exist for a London-specific grooming gangs inquiry. However, the political debate is far from over, with the Conservatives likely to continue pushing for further scrutiny on this issue in the run-up to the next mayoral election.
A 2019 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report examined cases across multiple UK locations, including Tower Hamlets in London, shedding light on institutional failings—read the full findings here.
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