In response to the decision by Government not to open a Home Office Inquiry at the request of Oldham Council, Elsie Blundell, MP for Heywood and Middleton North has issued the following statement:

“Girls in my constituency of Heywood and Middleton North were subjected to horrific abuse by grooming gangs. While people are calling for a national inquiry into grooming gangs historically – and I’m not necessarily against this – I think the money would be better spent on prosecuting rapists and paedophiles today.

“Last summer, during the period of social unrest, we proved we could clamp down on the perpetrators quickly and through the courts. I would like to see a Rape Court established here in Greater Manchester, because after 14 years of Tory chaos, there are unacceptable delays in the court system. We need to act faster – then lock up perpetrators, and throw away the key.”