In a bold move shaking Britain’s political landscape, Nigerian-born Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition Conservative Party, has called for a national inquiry into the widespread abuse of young girls by grooming gangs. Speaking through a widely-read article, Badenoch condemned systemic failures by UK authorities, describing the scandal as “rape on an industrial scale.”
Badenoch’s statement underscores the shocking reality of thousands of white working-class girls falling victim to predatory gangs, many of Pakistani heritage. “Britain has witnessed the mass grooming of thousands of the most vulnerable girls – children – by gangs of men,” she declared. Her comments have reignited debates on race, religion, and the responsibilities of institutions tasked with protecting society’s most vulnerable.
The grooming gang issue has plagued the UK for decades, with cities like Rotherham and Rochdale becoming infamous for the scale of abuse uncovered. Badenoch emphasized the sheer magnitude of the scandal, noting that “this was not the work of a few rotten individuals in one borough but a nationwide atrocity.”
Adding a chilling dimension to the narrative, Badenoch pointed to evidence suggesting racial and religious motivations behind the crimes. “The perpetrators appeared to have deliberately targeted their victims because they were white – and not from their own community or religious background,” she stated. Badenoch criticized previous inquiries for failing to address this sensitive aspect, insisting it was time for society and the state to confront these uncomfortable truths.
Badenoch’s critique extended beyond the perpetrators to include officials, social workers, and law enforcement agencies who allegedly turned a blind eye or actively concealed the abuse. “It is disturbing to read accounts of collusion between officials and police to keep the scandal under wraps,” she said, citing incidents where authorities prioritized maintaining community relations over protecting victims.
One particularly distressing example involved social workers reportedly attending a “Nikah” – an Islamic marriage ceremony – between an abuser and his underage victim. In another case, a desperate father attempting to rescue his daughter from a so-called “rape den” was arrested, highlighting the failures of those entrusted with public safety.
Badenoch condemned the role of academics and charity workers who, in her words, drafted “obfuscatory reports” to minimize the scale of the crisis. “This can never be allowed to happen again,” she asserted.
While condemning the failures of institutions, Badenoch acknowledged the efforts of individuals who fought against the systemic negligence. She highlighted the prosecution of grooming gang members and praised the Grooming Gang Taskforce, launched in April 2023, which reportedly made over 500 arrests within its first year.
Despite these efforts, Badenoch argued that more must be done to uncover the extent of institutional complicity. “We still need to know the extent to which institutions like the police, prosecutors, local government, and social services are compromised by wrong-headed political correctness,” she said.
Badenoch’s demands include a full-scale national inquiry with the authority to go beyond the limitations of previous investigations. She called for the inquiry to address the racial and religious motivations of the crimes, as well as to identify individuals and institutions that facilitated or ignored the abuses.
“No lenience should be shown to those who rape and exploit children, nor can we tolerate those who protect predators,” she said. Badenoch insisted that the inquiry should not only lead to justice for victims but also ensure systemic reforms to prevent future occurrences.
The grooming gang scandal first gained widespread attention in the 2010s following reports of systemic abuse in Rotherham, where over 1,400 girls were exploited between 1997 and 2013. Subsequent investigations revealed similar patterns of abuse in other towns, exposing a national crisis that spanned decades.
Critics argue that political correctness and fears of being labeled racist contributed to the reluctance of authorities to address the issue. Badenoch’s statement has brought renewed focus to these accusations, with many seeing her as a voice willing to challenge entrenched taboos.
Badenoch’s call for a national inquiry has received mixed reactions. Supporters praise her courage in addressing a contentious issue, while critics accuse her of inflaming racial tensions. Some members of the Pakistani community argue that focusing on ethnicity risks stigmatizing an entire group.
However, Badenoch maintains that the focus should remain on justice for victims and accountability for those who failed them. “This issue is not about race; it’s about ensuring the safety and dignity of all children,” she said.
As the leader of the Conservative Party, Badenoch’s stance on this issue could shape the political agenda in the lead-up to the next UK general election. Whether her call for a national inquiry will materialize remains uncertain, but her remarks have undoubtedly reignited a critical national conversation.
For victims and their families, the hope is that Badenoch’s efforts will lead to meaningful action, justice, and reforms to prevent future tragedies. As Badenoch stated, “Only by uncovering the full extent of this scandal can we hope to uphold our laws, culture, and the rights of every child in Britain.”
